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of  Utopian  Literature 


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http://www.archive.org/details/centuriesapartOObouv 


Facsimile  of  a  sketch  by  Captain  Percy,  U.  S.  A.     Copied  from  a  map  shown 
him  by  the  Abbot  of  the  Rose  Cross  at  the  Abbey  of  Northumbria. 


3 


Centuries  Apart. 


BY 


EDWARD    T.   BOUVE. 


f 


BOSTON: 
LITTLE,    BROWN,   AND    COMPANY. 

1894- 


Copyright,    1S94, 
By  Little,  Brown,  and  Company. 


SUntocrsttg  ^|3rrss : 
John  Wilson  and  Son,  Cambridge,  U.S.A. 


15 1 


PRE  F  A  C  E. 


A  GENERATION  has  been  born,  grown  to  ma- 
turity, married,  and  now  trots  its  children  upon 
its  knee,  since  the  fall  of  the  curtain  upon  the  tragedy 
of  the  Civil  War  in  America.  Many  of  those  who 
filled  roles  in  that  tragedy  are  yet  permitted  to  cast 
a  shadow  under  "  the  pale  glimpses  of  the  moon." 
Many  more  have  passed  on  to  the  land  of  shadows. 

Among  that  great  company  of  players  were  a 
number  who  were  cast,  for  a  brief  season,  in  parts  to 
be  performed  upon  the  boards  of  a  very  distant  and 
entirely  unknown  theatre.  On  that  remote  stage  it 
was  fated  that  they  should  play  their  farewell  en- 
gagement before  this  world's  audience.  Nor  lingers 
yet  in  the  realm  of  sunshine  one  who  in  his  da)'  con- 
structed the  following  account  from  the  dilapidated 
and  water-worn  diary  of  one  of  these  strollers.  The 
compiler  is  the  one  who  once  or  twice  in  the  earlier 
chapters  of  the  book  refers  to  himself  as  "  I."  Toward 
the   end,  he   incidentally  calls   himself  "the   writer;" 


iv  PREFACE. 

and,  the  diary  being  henceforth  blank,  he  is  com- 
pelled to  carry  the  tale  onward  to  a  finish  in  the  clos- 
ing chapter  by  the  "  post  rehearsal,"  if  I  may  so  call 
it,  of  his  own  part.  This  is  appropriate  enough,  for 
he  was  on  the  stage  during  the  last  scene,  from  the 
rising  of  the  curtain  to  the  fluttering  downward  of  the 
green  baize.  Alas,  yes  !  the  dark  curtain  has  indeed 
slowly  and  sadly  fallen  on  his  bright,  brave,  cheery, 
manly  life  ;    he  is  "  heard  no  more  !  " 

Even  the  diary  itself,  of  priceless  value  as  it  must 
have  been  to  the  family  of  its  author,  —  of  incalcu- 
lable interest  and  importance  as  it  might  have  been 
to  the  people  of  the  United  States, —  is  gone  for- 
ever. It  went  to  ashes  in  the  great  Boston  fire,  in 
November,  1872. 

There  is  a  possibility  that  its  loss  may  have  been  a 
misfortune  of  world-wide  proportions.  Could  it  have 
been  established  that  this  diary  was  constructed  by 
a  sane  man,  uncrazed  by  the  fearful  experience  of 
disaster  and  suffering  through  which  he  had  passed, 
nothing  further  could  have  been  desired.  The  honor 
and  integrity  of  the  author  were  beyond  a  question- 
ing thought,  even.  And  in  such  case  the  little  dilapi- 
dated book  might  have  proved  a  chart,  the  study  of 
which  would  perhaps  have  incited  the  Great  Republic 
to  but  stretch  forth  her  hand  southward,  and  gather 
a  laurel-wreath  of  glory  such  as  glistened  upon  the 
brow  of  Spain  after   1492. 


PREFACE.  v 

I  have  given  the  story  almost  entirely  in  the  lan- 
guage of  the  compiler,  and,  with  one  exception,  have 
used  the  real  names  of  the  characters.  The  "  Cap- 
tain Arthur  Percy"  (who,  if  this  were  a  novel,  would 
be  the  hero)  appears  under  a  pseudonym  so  slightly 
differing  from  his  family  name  that  the  obscuration  is 
scarcely  noticeable  ;  in  fact,  it  is  practically  but  a 
synonymous  form.  Centuries  of  singularly  varying 
etymological  construction  of  certain  family  names, 
each  succeeding  generation  slightly  altering  the  spell- 
ing or  pronunciation  according  to  environment,  whim, 
or  perhaps  owing  to  fortune's  changes  or  fashion's 
behests,  have  brought  about  in  the  end  curious  varie- 
ties of  the  original.  "  Original,"  we  arrogantly  say, 
with  glib  tongue.  Why,  that  which  we  designate  by 
such  assumedly  primeval  term  may  be  but  the  evolu- 
tion from  eons  of  cognomens.  But  to  return  to  earth 
once  more,  and  take  up  our  subject.  The  ancient 
Percy  family  name  was  Piercie.  It  has  varied  since 
to  Peircie,  Peirce,  more  modernly  Pearce,  or  more 
properly  Pierce,  as  well  as  Percy. 

Possibly  some  readers  may  be  as  much  interested 
in  trying  to  guess  which  of  the  above  was  the  real 
name  of  the  young  officer  referred  to,  as  they  will  be 
by  a  perusal  of  the  tale  itself. 

I  sincerely  trust  that  no  enthusiastic  extracts  from 
the  diary  descriptive  of  South  Polar  feminine  loveli- 
ness may  tempt  any  young  American  viking  to  turn 


vi  PREFACE. 

the  prow  of  his  yacht  in  an  Antarctic  direction. 
Probably  there  's  little  likelihood  of  that,  however, 
for  beauty  is  not  sought  in  these  later  days.  More- 
over, let  him  reflect  that  't  is  many  a  year  since  these 
descriptions  were  penned.  Time  cures  all  things, 
even  beauty;   the  rose  fades,  and 

"  No  hay  pajaros  en  los  nidos  de  anteano." 


CONTENTS. 


Chapter                                                                                                   Page 
I.  A  Page  of  Unwritten  History   .....  i 
II.  The  Meeting  of  the  Sixteenth  and  Nine- 
teenth Centuries ,    .  26 

III.  A  Journey  into  Fair  Northumbria     ...  57 

IV.  A  Remarkable  Story 84 

V.  In    which    the    Captain    is    wounded   and 

taken  Prisoner  by  Cupid i*S 

VI.  The  Hunt 143 

VII.  The  Course  of  True  Love 173 

VIII.  Farewell,  farewell,  my  own  True  Love  .  204 

IX.  The  Eagle's  Crag 214 

X.  The  Dell  of  the  Swan   Maiden       ....  228 

XI.  The  Black  Tempest 249 

XII.  Tin;  Defence  of  Eagle's  Crag 2^4 

XIII.  Shi-:  loved  not  wisely,  but  too  well      .     .  273 

XIV.  Parting 281 

XV.  Grim-visaged  War .  290 

XVI.  Wreck  and  Ruin 314 

XVII.  The  Tragedy 333 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

FROM  ORIGINAL  DRAWINGS  BY  W.  ST.  JOHN    HARPER. 


The   Meeting  of  the   Sixteenth  and   Nineteenth 

Centuries Page  28 

The  Course  of  True  Love 175 

The  Dell  of  the  Swan  Maiden 246 

Grim  Visaged  War 306 

Wreck  and  Ruin 324 

The  Parting 341 


fflaps. 

South  England Face  Title 

The  Open  Polar  Sea  and  the  Warm  Current   Page  13 


Centuries    Apart. 


CHAPTER    I. 

A    PAGE  OF  UNWRITTEN    HISTORY. 

Is  it  not  strange,  and  strange  ? 

Measure  for  Measure. 

Among  the  secret  archives  of  the  War  Department 
was  a  batch  of  despatches  and  reports  which  had  not 
seen  the  light  since  they  were  pigeon-holed  in  1865. 
These  papers  had  been  unearthed,  so  to  speak,  in 
the  course  of  some  overhauling  in  1878,  and  having 
been  looked  into  sufficiently  to  ascertain  their  na- 
ture by  a  clerk  acting  under  orders,  had  been  laid 
aside  for  future  close  examination.  Subsequently 
they  were  accidentally  destroyed  by  fire,  only  a  mu- 
tilated page  or  two  being  left  to  show  that  such 
papers  had  ever  existed. 

A  chapter  of  history,  with  a  rather  remarkable 
story  included  therein,  would  thus  have  been  lost  to 
the  world,  but  for  the  diary  of  the  only  surviving 
officer  of  a  secret  expedition,  organized  and  de- 
spatched in  the  last  year  of  the  civil  war.     Although 


2  CENTURIES  APART. 

this  expedition  met  with  complete  destruction,  yet 
before  that  consummation  it  had  accomplished,  in  the 
important  direction  of  discovery,  more  than  has  ever 
before  been  done  in  the  part  of  the  world  where  it 
found  itself.  It  does  not  matter  that  the  discoveries 
were  accidental,  being  due  to  the  agencies  of  winds, 
currents,  and  storms.  It  is  enough  that  they  were 
made. 

The  private  diary  from  which  this  account  has 
been  compiled  is  rightly  regarded,  by  the  family  of 
the  officer  who  kept  it,  as  a  most  precious  heirloom. 
The  publication  is  now  permitted  only  because  it 
has  been  recently  ascertained,  with  certainty,  that 
no  other  history  of  the  expedition  exists,  since  the 
destruction  of  the  reports  originally  in  possession  of 
the  War  Department,  which  were  made  up  by  this 
officer  from  this  very  diary.  It  may  be  proper  to  say 
here  that  the  officer  in  question,  who  was,  as  before 
stated,  the  only  survivor  of  the  expedition,  was  upon 
the  staff  of  the  General  in  command,  and  although  not 
of  high  rank,  was  a  trusted  aide  and  personal  friend 
of  the  General.  His  opportunities  for  observation 
and  obtaining  information  were  therefore,  from  the 
very  inception  of  the  undertaking,  the  best  possible. 
With  this  introduction,  we  will  now  proceed  to  a  con- 
sideration of  the  details  of  the  story. 

It  would  appear  that  a  number  of  Mexican  gentle- 
men —  citizens  of  high  social  position,  but  uncon- 
nected with  the  Juarez  government —  had  determined 
that  it  was  indispensable  that  President  Lincoln's  ad- 


A   PAGE   OF  UNWRITTEN  HISTORY.  3 

ministration  should  extend  material  aid  to  Mexico 
in  her  desperate  struggle  for  existence  as  a  republic. 
They  felt — and  this  opinion  was  in  strong  measure 
shared  at  Washington  — that  the  cause  of  Napoleon 
III.  and  his  unhappy  cat's-paw  Maximilian  was  more 
or  less  connected  with  that  of  the  Southern  Confed- 
eracy ;  that  if  the  Emperor  became  absolute  master 
of  Mexico,  there  could  be  no  doubt  that  he  would  at 
once  send  help  to  our  rebels.  A  strong  deputation 
of  these  gentlemen  visited  President  Lincoln,  with  the 
greatest  secrecy,  at  Washington.  They  came,  osten- 
sibly, only  in  a  private  capacity,  but  their  errand  was 
known  and  heartily  approved  by  the  patriot  govern- 
ment of  Mexico.  They  represented,  most  urgently, 
that  the  cause  of  constitutional  liberty  was  threatened 
by  common  enemies,  and  that,  unless  the  French 
power  could  be  crushed  in  Mexico,  it  would,  sooner 
or  later,  become  a  dangerous  factor  in  the  struggle 
for  national  life  then  going  on  in  the  United  States. 

The  outcome  of  this  embassy,  if  it  may  be  called 
such,  was  that  an  expedition  was  fitted  out  with  the 
utmost  secrecy  and  despatch.  It  consisted  of  two  small 
skeleton  brigades  of  infantry,  together  about  twenty- 
four  hundred  men  ;  five  batteries  of  light  artillery,  one 
battery  of  horse  artillery,  and  three  battalions  of  cav- 
alry. These  were  all  veteran  troops,  made  up  entirely 
of  picked  men,  the  companies  not  comprising  over 
thirty  men  each.  It  was  intended  that  they  should 
form  the  nucleus  of  a  much  larger  force,  the  organi- 
zations to  be  filled  by  recruiting,  when  the)-  should 


4  CENTURIES  APART. 

have  arrived  at  their  destination.  Each  battalion  of 
cavalry  was  to  form  the  basis  for  a  full  regiment,  and 
was  commanded  by  a  colonel,  with  the  complement 
of  officers  for  a  regiment.  The  officers  for  the  whole 
force  were  selected,  from  the  generals  of  brigade 
down  to  second  lieutenants,  and  were  all  tried  soldiers. 
The  commanding  officer  was  a  very  brilliant  young 
man,  who  had  shown  great  capacity  and  had  distin- 
guished himself,  but  who  had  not,  until  now,  held 
an  independent  command.  He  was  chosen  for  the 
position  by  the  Lieutenant-General  commanding  the 
armies. 

No  cavalry  or  artillery  horses  were  taken,  owing 
to  the  length  of  the  voyage  in  contemplation ;  but 
many  of  the  officers  chose  to  risk  their  own  animals 
on  the  ships. 

The  troops  were  embarked  on  four  fine  and  very 
swift  steamers  of  large  size,  which  had  been  al- 
tered over  sufficiently  to  convert  them  into  heavily 
armed  transports.  The  fleet  was  commanded  by  a 
commodore. 

The  expedition  was  ordered  to  proceed,  with  the 
utmost  despatch,  to  its  destination,  which  was  a  port 
in  Southern  California,  sailing  round  Cape  Horn. 
The  plan  was  that,  after  recruiting  the  force  there  to 
its  maximum  strength,  it  should  be  held  in  readiness, 
in  certain  eventualities,  to  move  down  the  coast  again, 
land  at  a  Western  Mexican  port,  and  march  to  aid 
Juarez  in  expelling  the  French  and  dethroning 
Maximilian. 


A    PAGE   OF  UNWRITTEN  HISTORY.  5 

The  fleet  sailed  in  September.  Arrangements  had 
been  made  for  coaling  at  Rio,  a  large  steamer  loaded 
with  coal  having  been  despatched  some  weeks  before 
the  departure  of  the  expedition,  with  orders  to  await 
its  arrival  at  that  port.  Circumstances,  however, 
rendered  this  plan  abortive. 

The  voyage  down  the  coast  and  thence  into  the 
South  Atlantic  was  uneventful,  the  ships  keeping  well 
together;  but  after  passing  Cape  St.  Roque  there 
came  a  change.  A  most  terrible  storm  set  in  from 
the  north,  which  lasted  for  five  days.  After  moder- 
ating a  little,  it  was  succeeded  by  a  series  of  furious 
tempests  from  the  north  and  northwest,  lasting,  with 
little  intermission,  for  weeks.  The  ships  had  become 
so  short  of  coal  that  they  were  compelled  to  run 
under  sail,  saving  what  little  fuel  remained  for  bitter 
emergencies,  and  they  were  blown  nearly  a  thousand 
miles  out  of  their  course.  These  storms  hardly  cleared 
enough  to  allow  of  observations  being  taken,  when 
they  were  followed  by  others  from  the  same  quarter, 
which  lasted  almost  uninterruptedly  for  several  days 
more.  Old  sailors  on  board  the  fleet  said  that  they 
had  never  known  or  experienced,  in  those  latitudes, 
storms  of  such  singular  violence  and  intensity.  The 
ships  were  so  crippled  by  the  loss  of  spars,  sails, 
and  rigging,  as  to  be  able  to  do  nothing  more  than 
simply  run  before  the  gale  and  try  to  keep  afloat. 
When  at  last  the  weather  settled  enough  for  them 
to  make  out  where  they  were,  they  found  themselves 
anion"  drift  ice   and  far  down  toward  the  Antarctic 


6  CENTURIES  APART. 

Circle,  much  nearer  the  longitude  of  the  Cape  of 
Good  Hope  than  that  of  Cape  Horn.  The  ships, 
badly  battered  as  they  were,  had,  as  if  by  a  miracle, 
remained  together. 

The  storms  had  apparently  subsided,  but  the  weather 
was  very  cold,  and  ice  rendered  navigation  dangerous. 
The  wind  was  still  fresh  from  the  northwest,  and  they 
proceeded  to  repair  damages  as  well  as  they  could, 
all  the  while  steering  southeast,  the  only  direction 
in  which  clear  water  lay.  Suddenly,  on  the  second 
morning  after  the  storm  had  moderated,  they  found 
themselves  in  a  current  setting  strongly  and  decidedly 
south,  the  water  being  as  warm  as  that  of  the  Gulf 
Stream.  The  air  was  correspondingly  temperate, 
and,  to  their  surprise,  there  appeared  to  be  but  little 
ice  in  this  current,  which  was  about  twenty  miles 
wide.  On  its  edges  were  long  lines  of  icebergs  and 
field  ice,  evidently  floating  northward.  There  was 
thus  a  lane  of  clear,  warm  water,  in  which  the  ships 
were  drifting  with  some  rapidity  southward,  under 
the  influence  of  the  current  and  of  the  northwest 
wind,  which  still  continued.  This  state  of  things  had 
existed  for  a  day  and  a  night. 

The  next  morning  the  captain  of  one  of  the  ships 
signalled  for  permission  to  come  on  board  the  flag- 
ship. He  proved  to  have  information  which  might 
be  of  great  importance.  He  stated  that,  some  ten 
years  previously,  he  had  been,  in  November,  at 
Valparaiso.  His  elder  brother,  commanding  an 
American  clipper  ship,  arrived   at  that  port  after  a 


A    PAGE   OF   UNWRITTEN  HISTORY.  7 

very  remarkable  experience.  He  had  been  on  his 
way  round  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  from  the  East 
Indies,  when  he  encountered,  after  entering  the  South 
Atlantic,  a  series  of  most  furious  storms  from  the 
northward,  which  blew  him  for  many  hundred  miles 
out  of  his  course,  and  all  at  once  he  found  him- 
self in  ice.  After  beating  about  for  a  day  or  two 
in  great  danger,  and  having  several  narrow  escapes 
from  destruction,  he  became  enveloped  in  thick 
fog.  At  the  same  time  the  ship  entered  open 
water,  which  was  quite  warm;  and  when,  after  some 
days  of  fog,  the  sun  appeared,  and  a  northerly  breeze 
set  in,  the  ship  proved  to  be  in  about  the  centre  of  a 
channel,  at  least  twelve  to  fifteen  miles  in  width,  and 
from  observations  taken  it  was  certain  that  they  were 
drifting  southward.  The  ship  was  at  once  put  about, 
and  attempted  to  beat  to  northward  through  this 
channel  until  clear  of  the  ice,  but  to  no  purpose. 
She  slowly  and  steadily  fell  to  leeward.  After  several 
days  of  this  drifting,  the  current  of  warm  water 
divided,  a  part  of  it  flowing  almost  due  west.  This 
branch  was  more  or  less  filled  with  field  ice  ;  but  the 
captain  took  advantage  of  it  to  work  westward  and, 
eventually,  northward  again,  as  fast  as  the  ice  would 
permit.  After  two  weeks  of  this  experience,  he  suc- 
ceeded in  gaining  the  open  sea,  and  made  for  Cape 
Horn,  which  he  doubled  without  much  difficulty, 
and  in  due  time  arrived  at  Valparaiso.  He  con- 
sidered his  adventure  as  of  the  greatest  importance, 
and  proposed  to  report  it  fully,  both  to  the  govern- 


8  CENTURIES  APART. 

ment  at  Washington  and  to  the  British  Admiralty; 
but  after  sailing  from  Valparaiso,  his  ship  was  never 
heard  from  again,  and  his  story  perished  with  him. 

From  what  his  brother  recollected  of  his  statements 
relating  to  the  latitude  and  longitude  of  this  warm 
ocean  current  running  toward  the  pole,  it  was  judged 
that  the  ships  of  the  expedition  had  struck  the  same 
current.  This  seemed  the  more  probable  as  a  slight 
change  of  wind  brought  on  a  dense  fog,  which  lasted 
four  days,  during  which  time  the  ships  still  drifted 
steadily  southward,  —  as  was  learned  by  their  keeping 
close  to  the  westerly  side  of  the  channel,  and  finding 
that  the  bergs  and  floes  were  moving  in  the  opposite 
direction.  In  fact,  one -of  the  ships  got  out  of  the 
current  and  among  field  ice,  and  was  extricated  only 
after  two  days'  hard  work  and  great  suffering  from 
cold,  the  temperature  being  many  degrees  lower  than 
it  was  in  the  centre  of  the  warm  stream.  They  had 
hugged  the  westerly  edge  of  the  channel  so  as  to  be 
sure  not  to  miss  the  place  where  the  stream  divided, 
part  flowing  westward,  according  to  the  sea-captain's 
statement.  The  fog  lifted,  and  it  was  clear  for  a  day, 
only  to  shutdown  more  thickly  than  ever;  and  no 
sign  as  yet  appeared  of  any  westerly  passage.  In 
fact,  the  stream  now  took  a  turn  almost  east  of 
south,  and  the  navigators  began  to  notice  gulls  and 
other  sea-birds;  and,  one  day,  a  piece  of  floe 
drifted  by  them,  having  several  seals  upon  it.  All 
this  indicated  the  proximity  of  land  ;  and  they 
were  not  surprised,  one   morning  after  the  fog  had 


A   PACE    OF   UNWRITTEN  HISTORY.  9 

entirely  disappeared,  to  see  on  the  southern  horizon 
cliffs  and  mountains  covered  with  snow,  toward  which 
they  were  diagonally  drifting,  their  course  being  south- 
southeast.  On  a  nearer  approach  they  found  that 
the  coast-line  turned  southward,  and  the  warm 
stream  skirted  the  shores.  At  nightfall  they  were 
within  five  miles  of  land,  and  as  yet  the  lead  had 
given  no  soundings.  The  night  was  very  bright,  the 
stars  shining  with  remarkable  brilliancy,  except  when 
they  paled  before  a  splendid  aurora.  Meanwhile 
there  was  neither  wind  nor  sea.  The  water  was  al- 
most as  smooth  as  a  pond;  and  still  no  soundings, 
while  the  ships  drifted  nearer  and  nearer  the  shore, 
with  hardly  any  steerage-way.  Toward  midnight 
orders  were  given  to  get  up  steam,  using  the  little 
coal  remaining,  which  had  been  hoarded  with  the 
greatest  care  against  such  an  emergency.  At  about 
three  o'clock  the  next  morning  soundings  were  ob- 
tained at  thirty  fathoms,  and  the  ships  immediately 
anchored.  As  day  dawned,  it  appeared  that  they 
were  just  at  the  entrance  of  an  almost  completely 
land-locked  harbor,  a  mile  or  more  in  width,  and 
reaching  several  miles  inland.  The  land  in  the 
neighborhood  was  high,  but  sloped  down  to  the 
shore,  and  there  were  mountains  in  the  distance. 
The  snow  along  the  coast  was  gone,  and  the  counts- 
appeared  covered  with  a  kind  of  scrub  pine,  mingled 
with  other  arctic,  or  rather  antarctic,  vegetation. 

All  evidences  pointed  to  the  rapid   advance  of  the 
antarctic  spring,   short  enough   at   best,    and    almost 


10  CENTURIES  APART. 

immediately  merging  into  the  brief  summer  of  that 
latitude.  The  temperature  was  quite  mild,  except 
at  night. 

Early  in  the  day  an  expedition  was  fitted  out,  con- 
sisting of  several  of  the  boats  of  the  squadron,  to 
sound  the  waters  of  the  bay  and  learn  if  there  were 
safe  anchorage  for  the  ships,  which  sadly  needed 
more  extensive  repairs  than  had  been  possible  to 
make  at  sea.  A  fine  sandy  beach  was  soon  dis- 
covered within  the  harbor,  and  advantage  was  taken 
of  it  to  land  the  troops  for  refreshment  and  exercise. 
Their  long  confinement  on  shipboard  they  had  borne 
wonderfully  well,  there  having  been  very  little  sick- 
ness up  to  this  time,  and  no  deaths. 

The  rocks  along  the  coast  teemed  with  many  sorts 
of  waterfowl,  and  the  waters  were  full  of  fish,  all 
furnishing  a  very  agreeable  change  of  diet  from  the 
regular  sea-rations. 

There  proved  to  be  plenty  of  water  and  excellent 
anchorage  in  the  bay,  and  the  ships  all  entered  and 
anchored  in  good  positions.  About  noon  a  boat 
that  had  proceeded  up  the  harbor  returned  with 
startling  intelligence.  A  ship  had  been  discovered 
at  anchor,  close  to  the  shore  of  a  wooded  point  some 
three  miles  inland.  She  was  dismasted  and  aban- 
doned, all  stores  and  supplies  having  been  removed 
to  the  nearest  beach,  together  with  all  her  furniture 
of  every  description.  This  had  been  used  in  shelters 
built  under  the  lee  of  a  precipice  on  the  shore,  which 
had  evidently  been  occupied  for  winter  quarters.     A 


A    PAGE    OF   UNWRITTEN  HISTORY.         II 

rifle  of  English  make  was  found  near  the  cabins,  but 
not  another  tool  or  implement  of  any  description. 
The  place  seemed  to  have  been  deserted  for  at  least 
a  year.  Down  by  the  beach  an  ominous  discovery 
suggested  the  fate  of  many  of  the  crew.  It  was 
a  row  of  graves,  partly  formed  of  stones  heaped 
high.  There  were  two  dug  out  of  the  soil,  but 
still  covered  with  large  rocks,  probably  with  a  view 
to  protection  from  wild  animals.  The  survivors 
of  the  ship's  company  had  gone,  and  left  no  trace. 
But  the  strangest  and  most  practically  interesting 
part  of  the  discovery  was  that  the  ship,  which  might 
have  swung  to  her  rusty  cables  there  for  two  or  three 
years,  was  laden  with  coal.  Nothing  could  well  have 
happened  more  opportune,  for  coal  was  the  one 
thing  needed  to  enable  the  ships  of  the  expedition 
to  make  head  against  the  warm  current  and  return 
upon  their  track. 

Arrangements  were  made  at  once  for  coaling  from 
this  windfall.  The  ships  were  successively  laid 
alongside  of  the  hulk,  and  the  coal  was  put  upon 
each  in  proportion  to  the  quantity  needed.  There 
was  not  enough  to  afford  them  nearly  a  full  supply, 
but  the  amount  which  was  found,  it  was  estimated, 
would  probably  last  long  enough  to  carry  them  well 
into  the  South  Atlantic.  Several  days  were  con- 
sumed in  this  way  and  in  making  necessary  repairs, 
during  which  examinations  were  made  for  purposes 
of  discovery  in  various  directions;  but  no  topograph- 
ical differences  were  observed    between   the   country 


12  CENTURIES  APART. 

adjacent  to  the  bay  and  the  regions  visited.  No 
traces  were  found  of  the  survivors  of  the  crew  of 
the  coal-ship,  although  it  was  evident  that  a  party 
had  gone  inland,  after  the  abandonment  of  the  vessel 
and  the  death  of  so  many  of  her  company. 

When  they  were  ready  to  sail,  the  question  arose 
as  to  whether  it  might  not  be  possible  to  reach  the 
Atlantic  in  some  other  and  safer  way  than  that  by 
which  they  had  come;  and  it  was  determined  to 
skirt  the  coast  southward  for  a  short  distance,  to  see 
if  the  land  were  an  island.  If  so,  the  warm  current 
might  flow  round  it,  and  return  to  the  ocean  west  of 
the  longitude  of  Cape  Horn.  Acting  upon  the  possi- 
bility, they  proceeded  southward  along  the  coast, 
still  finding  themselves  in  the  stream.  No  more  ice 
was  seen,  and  land  was  observed  in  the  horizon  to 
the  eastward.  They  were,  evidently,  between  large 
islands,  or  in  a  very  broad  strait,  although  they  soon 
lost  soundings.  On  the  night  of  the  second  day 
after  setting  sail,  they  saw  a  bright  light,  as  of  a 
conflagration,  down  the  coast  along  which  they  were 
running.  This  increased  steadily  until  morning, 
when  a  large  column  of  smoke  took  its  place;  and 
as  they  proceeded,  they  found  they  were  nearing  a 
volcano  in  eruption.  By  noon  they  were  abreast  of 
this  mountain,  which  proved  to  be  the  first  of  a  long 
range  extending  westward,  and  the  coast  at  this 
point  took  a  turn  directly  west.  The  eruption  was 
a  quiet  one,  with  very  infrequent  explosions,  only 
vast  masses  of  flame  and  smoke  rising  from  the  cone. 


Map  of  the  Open  Polar  Sea,  showing  the  various  lands  touched  at  by  the  ships, 

as  well  as  the  course  of  the  "Warm  Current.     (Facsimile  of  a  pen  ami  ink 

sketch  by  Captain  Percy.) 


A    PAGE   OF  UNWRITTEN  HISTORY.         1 3 

These  black  clouds  of  smoke  drifted  off  to  the  south- 
ward before  the  northerly  breeze,  and  completely 
darkened  the  surface  of  the  sea  for  many  miles.  It 
was  unsafe  navigating  in  the  murky  obscurity,  and  the 
fleet  consequently  steered  south-southeast  to  avoid 
it,  until  it  should  be  clear  enough  to  change  the 
course  to   the  westward. 

Meanwhile  the  voyagers  began  to  realize  a  wonder- 
ful fact.  Here,  in  the  region  of  perpetual  ice,  they 
had  reached  an  open  polar  sea.  For  centuries  all 
efforts  to  reach  an  open  arctic  polar  sea  have  been 
unavailing;  but,  by  a  most  singular  chance,  an  open 
antarctic  polar  sea  appeared  to  have  been  found.  In 
every  direction,  to  the  east,  south,  and  west,  the 
expanse  of  blue  water  stretched  away  to  the  horizon. 
It  was  impossible  to  judge  what  was  best  to  be  done. 
Far  away  on  the  starboard  quarter  a  mountainous 
coast  lost  itself  in  the  western  horizon.  Astern  they 
could  discern  a  dim  line  of  misty  cliffs,  as  far  to 
the  eastward  as  the  glass  could  reach.  Through  a 
narrow  strait  dividing  these  shores  they  had  come. 
Did  it  shut  them  out  from  the  known  world?  They 
decided  to  hold  their  course  out  into  the  open  sea, 
steering  southwest ;  but  toward  the  night  of  the 
second  day  after,  they  thought  they  saw  indications 
of  land  off  the  starboard  bow.  So  they  changed 
their  course  due  south  once  more;  and  when  day 
broke  there  was  surely  land  to  the  southeastward, 
which  by  evening  they  were  near  enough  to  distin- 
guish clearly.       Meanwhile  they  had   not  seen  land 


14  CENTURIES  APART. 

to  the  westward  for  two  days,  and  the  long  swell 
from  the  northwest  indicated  a  broad  expanse  of 
ocean  in  that  direction. 

At  sunset  the  voyagers,  then  steering  south-south- 
east, found  that  they  were  moving  down  a  coast  to 
the  east  of  them,  and  by  nightfall  land  also  loomed 
up  directly  in  their  course.  Upon  this  discovery, 
they  deemed  it  prudent  to  lie  to  for  the  night,  which 
was  very  bright  however.  For  several  nights  the 
aurora  had  been  altogether  the  finest  they  had  ever 
seen.  At  daybreak  they  found  that  they  had  been 
drifting  southward,  and  were  near  enough  to  the  land 
to  be  able  to  distinguish  some  of  its  features.  The 
remark  was  made  early  that  day  by  the  General 
commanding  to  the  Commodore:  "This  looks  like 
the  entrance  from  the  North  Sea  to  the  English 
Channel."  He  little  thought  what  significance  his 
words  bore. 

Meanwhile  the  ships  were  advancing  into  a  strait. 
They  were  still  in  the  warm  current,  which  evidently 
washed  the  shores  of  the  lands  before  them.  Toward 
noon  orders  were  given  to  "  slow  down  ; "  and  soon 
after  this,  to  their  great  astonishment,  a  sail  was  seen 
on  the  port  bow,  and  immediately  afterwards  one  to 
the  eastward.  This  latter  vessel  approached  them 
to  within  six  miles,  and  then  changed  her  course, 
crowded  on  all  sail,  and  evidently  tried  to  escape 
from  the  unknown  strangers.  The  other  vessel  held 
on  her  course  until  within  a  mile,  when  she,  too,  put 
about  and  did  her  best  to  get  out  of  the  way.     But 


A    PAGE    OF  UNWRITTEN  HISTORY.  1 5 

the  steamer  to  leeward  was  too  near  her,  and  after 
a  chase  of  twenty  minutes,  overhauled  her.  She 
proved  to  be  a  small  ship  such  as  no  one  has  seen 
for  centuries,  but  which  those  familiar  with  naval 
architecture  of  past  ages  would  have  recognized  as 
of  mediaeval  model,  —  a  high  bow,  bowsprit  forty-five 
degrees  in  the  air,  a  spar  like  a  yard  across  it,  a  very 
high  poop  and  castellated  stern,  with  a  few  small, 
curious-looking  cannon  running  their  slim  muzzles 
from  the  ports. 

The  steamer  ran  up  the  American  colors,  and 
immediately  the  royal  standard  of  England,  or 
something  very  like  it,  was  set  by  the  stranger.  By 
this  time  the  vessels  were  but  a  few  hundred  feet 
apart.  The  little  ship  had  been  heeled  away  under 
her  press  of  sail,  so  that  her  crew  were  invisible ;  but 
she  now,  finding  escape  impossible,  changed  her 
course  so  as  to  bring  her  on  an  even  beam,  and 
shortened  sail.  As  she  did  so,  the  steamer  ran 
alongside,  and  the  companies  of  both  ships  had  the 
opportunity  to  see  each  other,  and  to  indulge  the 
extreme  amazement  to  which  the  mutual  examination 
gave  rise. 

Amidships  upon  the  stranger's  deck,  and  crowded 
along  her  bulwarks,  was  a  multitude  of  men  in  sin- 
gular dress  and  wearing  head  coverings  of  strange 
device.  Among  them,  here  and  there,  were  people 
with  steel  caps  ;  and  some  wore  corselets  or  coats 
of  mail.  These  bore  halberds  or  battle-axes.  In 
the    forecastle    (literally,    in    this    case,     forecastle, 


1 6  CENTURIES  APART. 

the  high  and  turreted  bow)  stood  men  clad  in 
green,  with  long  bows,  and  each  having  a  sheaf  of 
arrows  over  his  shoulder.  But  on  the  poop  was  the 
most  interesting  and  gorgeous  spectacle.  This  little 
quarter-deck  was  filled,  nay,  crowded,  with  persons 
in  complete  armor,  which  flashed  in  the  sunlight. 
On  their  helmets  were  generally  simple  plumes,  but 
in  some  cases  crests  of  fanciful  shape.  Some  suits 
of  armor  were  plain  black,  some  inlaid  in  parts  with 
gold  or  silver,  and  some  were  of  various  colors,  one 
being  entirely  white.  There  were  several  ecclesias- 
tics in  the  assembly  ;  one  being  evidently  a  cardinal, 
judging  from  his  scarlet  robes.  Here  and  there 
stood  young  squires,  holding  lances  which  bore 
pennons   of  various   shapes  and  devices. 

It  was  the  Middle  Ages  over  again,  and  the  Amer- 
icans gazed  as  if  in  a  dream.  Evidently  the  other 
ship's  company  were  similarly  affected,  for  they 
stared  at  the  steamer  in  intense  wonder,  not  unmixed 
with  alarm,  as  it  seemed.  All  this  time  the  stranger 
had  been  taking  in  sail,  and  now  lay  to,  apparently 
waiting  to  see  what  the  American  ship  would  do. 
The  captain  of  the  latter,  however,  considered  it 
proper  to  await  the  arrival  upon  the  scene  of  the 
flagship,  which  had  been  some  miles  to  windward, 
but  was  now  approaching  rapidly.  In  a  few  mo- 
ments she  passed  under  the  stern  of  the  stranger, 
and  ran  alongside  of  her  about  a  couple  of  hundred 
feet  to  leeward.  Her  first  lieutenant  stepped  to  the 
side,  trumpet  in  hand. 


A   PAGE   OF  UNWRITTEN  HISTORY.  17 

"  Ship  ahoy  !  "  he  hailed.  "  What  ship  is  that?" 
A  herald,  as  he  seemed,  in  gorgeous  panoply, 
advanced  to  the  highest  part  of  the  castle  on  the 
poop-deck,  and  answered,  shouting  something  in  a 
tongue  seemingly  compounded  of  a  Scotch  brogue 
and  Yorkshire  dialect.  Not  one  word  in  ten  was 
intelligible  at  first  ;  but  gradually  it  began  to  dawn 
upon  the  hearers  that  he  was  speaking  English,  after 
all,  —  a  kind  of  English,  to  be  sure,  that  belonged 
to  the  time  of  Henry  the  Eighth,  or  even  before  his 
era,  but  still  English  for  all  that. 

The  General  commanding  ordered  one  of  his  aides 
to  have  a  boat  lowered,  and  to  board  the  ship  of  the 
Plantagenets,  or  Tudors,  or  whatever  reigning  family 
it  might  be;  and  presenting  his  compliments  to  the 
chief  baron  or  officer,  to  say  that  he  would  pay  him 
a  visit  of  ceremony,  if  agreeable,  at  once.  This  aide, 
consequently,  arrayed  in  full  uniform,  was  rowed  to 
the  strange  ship,  which  he  boarded  by  means  of  a 
rope-ladder  passed  over  the  side  for  his  accommoda- 
tion. He  was  received  by  a  knight  in  full  armor 
with  his  visor  up,  who  extended  his  mailed  hand  and 
gave  the  American  hearty  greeting.  The  latter  de- 
livered himself  of  his  message  with  all  punctilious- 
ness. The  knight  looked  puzzled,  seemed  to  be 
trying  desperately  to  comprehend  the  words  of  the 
visitor,  and  at  last  appeared  to  get  at  the  drift  of 
the  latter's  remarks ;  but  his  reply  was  utterly  unin- 
telligible. Seeing  this,  a  priest  standing  not  far  away 
stepped  forward,  and  after  saying  a  few  words  apolo- 

2 


1 8  CENTURIES  APART. 

getically  to  the  knight,  addressed  the  American  in 
good  Latin,  although  with  a  pronunciation  which 
demanded  all  the  other's  wits  to  understand.  Luck- 
ily, the  aide  was  a  young  fellow  only  three  years  out 
of  the  university,  and  not  rusty  in  his  classics. 

Now,  this  staff-officer  was  the  very  man  from  whose 
journal  this  account  is  compiled;  so  we  have  the 
story  at  first  hand. 

The  reverend  father  spoke  rather  prolix  and 
formal  Latin,  and  after  a  short  time,  having  inad- 
vertently dropped  into  English,  the  American  pro- 
posed that  they  continue  to  use  it;  and  they  found 
it  possible  to  do  so,  speaking  very  slowly  and  care- 
fully. In  this  account  the  dialect  of  this  strange 
people  will  be  rendered  into  modern  English  only 
when  it  may  be  too  obscure  for  quick  comprehension. 
The  journal  of  the  aide  has  it  in  the  original,  and 
explains  in  notes  the  meanings  of  certain  words  and 
phrases  or  idioms  of  unknown  derivation,  which 
clearly  never  came  from  the  mediaeval  English. 
From  the  priest's  words  the  visitor  gathered  these 
facts. 

The  vessel  was  the  "  Red  Rose  of  Lancaster,"  the 
finest  war-ship  of  the  navy  of  his  Majesty  Henry 
the  Ninth,  King  of  South  England. 

"  And  what  was  the  kingdom  of  South  England?  " 
the  wondering  stranger  inquired. 

"  I  do  not  marvel  that  you  know  not  of  us,"  the 
priest  replied.  "  The  outside  world  has  probably 
never  learned  how  we  founded  the  nation  which  you 


A   PAGE   OF  UNWRITTEN  HISTORY.         19 

find  here,  under  most  miraculous  circumstances, 
undoubtedly  to  the  end  that  we  might  spread  the 
true  faith  to  the  uttermost  bounds  of  the  earth.  It 
has  grown  to  be  a  great  power;  and  our  grievous 
trouble  is  that  we  are  confined  by  the  belt  of  eternal 
ice  to  this  part  of  the  world,  and  have  never  been 
able  to  force  our  way  north  against  the  powerful  and 
most  beneficent  Warm  Current,  which  is  at  once  our 
preserver  and  our  jailer.  But  to  reply  to  your 
question  would  entail  a  long  story,  and  his  Royal 
Highness  awaits  your  presentation.  The  '  Red 
Rose '  is  commanded  by  the  noble  knight  and 
gallant  sailor,  Sir  Wilfred  Blount  of  the  Hawk's 
Nest.  The  King,  in  his  gracious  pleasure,  having 
been  pleased  to  permit  Prince  Harry  of  Lancaster, 
the  heir  apparent  (whom  Heaven  preserve  to  rule 
long  over  us  after  his  Majesty  the  King  shall,  in  ful- 
ness of  years  and  glory,  have  passed  to  his  reward), 
to  make  this  cruise,  he  is  accordingly  on  board, 
with  many  of  the  first  nobles  of  the  realm  in  his 
train.  This  gentleman  who  first  addressed  you  is 
Lord  Percy,  son  of  the  Earl  of  Northumberland,  and 
Master  of  the  Horse  to  his  Royal  Highness.  And," 
added  the  priest,  with  a  low  obeisance,  "  I  am  the 
poor  Father  Johannes,  Abbot  of  Westminster.  Whom 
have  I  the  honor  to  present  to  Lord  Percy?  " 

"  Reverend  sir,"  replied  the  American,  bowing  low 
in  his  turn,  "  I  am  what  you  would  understand  as  an 
officer  of  the  military  household  of  the  American 
General  Vaughn,  commanding  an  expeditionary  force 


20  CENTURIES  APART. 

from  the  armies  of  the  United  States  of  America,  a 
great  nation  whom  you  know  not  of.  It  is  neither  a 
kingdom  nor  an  empire,  but  a  republic,  and  can  best 
be  described,  so  as  to  make  the  nature  of  its  govern- 
ment comprehensible  to  you,  as  being  in  some 
respects  similar  to  the  republic  of  ancient  Rome  or 
that  of  Switzerland.  We  have  no  princes  or  nobility 
whatever,  but  are  all  plain  citizens.  We  make  very 
little  of  pedigree,  —  in  fact,  as  one  of  the  modern  Eng- 
lish poets  says,  '  smile  at  the  claims  of  long  descent ; ' 
yet  still,  as  a  matter  which  may  be  of  interest  to 
Lord  Percy,  I  will  say  that  I  chance  to  know  that  I 
myself  am  descended  from  the  Percies  of  Northum- 
berland, and  am  probably  of  kin  to  him.  I  am 
Captain  Percy,  of  the  staff  of  the  United  States 
Army,  at  your  gracious  service." 

The  Abbot  then  presented  the  officer  to  Lord 
Percy,  who  welcomed  him  with  great  heartiness  on 
board  the  ship.  They  found  that  by  talking  slowly 
and  distinctly  they  could  make  themselves  mutually 
understood.  The  Master  of  the  Horse  then  con- 
ducted Captain  Percy  aft  to  the  quarter-deck,  upon 
which,  surrounded  by  nobles,  stood  Prince  Harry. 

The  latter  was  a  boy  of  about  eighteen,  tall  and 
fair,  but  having  an  expression  in  which  an  ill-natured 
haughtiness  contended  comically  with  unconcealed 
curiosity.  He  was  arrayed  in  a  suit  of  bright  steel 
armor,  lavishly  inlaid  with  gold,  the  three  Norman 
lions  being  conspicuous  on  the  breastplate.  His 
helmet  had  a  crest  composed  of  feathers  curiously 
fashioned  to  represent  red  and  white  roses. 


A   PAGE   OF  UNWRITTEN  HISTORY.         21 

Lord  Percy  dropped  on  one  knee  and  said,  "  Will 
your  Royal  Highness  graciously  permit  me  to  present 
the  Captain  Percy,  an  officer  of  the  household  of  the 
gentleman  commanding  the  army  on  board  the  great 
ships  from  the  outside  world  ? " 

The  Captain  bowed  low.  The  Prince  glared  at 
him  with  insolent  wonder,  and  finally  extended  his 
hand,  which  the  American  innocently  grasped  and 
slightly  pressed.  But  the  Prince  snatched  his  hand 
away  with  the  greatest  fury,  exclaiming,  — 

"Varlet,  where  is  your  knee?  And  are  you  a 
prince,  that  you  kiss  not  my  hand,  but  touch  it  as 
I  were  a  churl?  " 

The  American  officer  was  astounded.  "I  beg 
your  pardon,"  he  said,  "  but  I  came  to  bring  the 
respectful  compliments  of  my  General,  who  will,  with 
your  gracious  leave,  pay  you  a  visit  of  ceremony, 
accompanied  by  the  Commodore  commanding  the 
fleet,  with  their  respective  staffs.  My  errand  was 
that  of  the  highest  courtesy,  and  if  I  am  unfortunate 
enough  to  have  been  remiss  in  showing  it,  I  crave 
your  pardon.  As  for  my  knee,  I  am  compelled  to 
say  that  not  only  an  American  officer  and  gentleman, 
but  the  lowest  soldier  or  sailor  in  the  service  of  the 
Great  Republic,  and  the  humblest  citizen  who  lives 
under  her  flag,  kneels  only  to  his  God.  And  no 
American  would  kiss  any  hand,  except  that  of  his 
lady-love." 

"  Now,  by  the  Red  Rose  of  Lancaster,"  began  the 
enraged  Prince ;   but   he   paused,  and  looked  angrily 


22  CENTURIES  APART. 

around,  for  a  low  murmur  of  disapprobation  made 
itself  heard  all  about. 

"  How,  my  Lords,"  he  rejoined  !  "  shall  I  be  bearded 
on  my  own  ship,  not  alone  by  this  insolent  stranger, 
but  by  the  black  looks  of  my  own  vassals?  I  tell 
you,  sirs  —  " 

But  a  nobleman  in  bright  armor  stepped  forth,  and 
with  a  profound  obeisance  interrupted  the  boy  in 
these  words,  which,  although  propitiatory  in  form, 
were  authoritative  in  manner  of  expression :  — 

"  I  cry  you  mercy,  your  Royal  Highness ;  but 
deign  to  permit  me  a  word  with  you   aside." 

"  Oh,  't  is  ever  thus,  my  Lord  Duke  and  uncle," 
replied  the  Prince,  peevishly,  "  but  have  it  as  you 
will.  My  royal  father  hath  enjoined  upon  me,  as 
I  were  a  babe  — "  His  words  died  away  in  angry 
mutterings.  All  present  retired  a  little,  especially 
Captain  Percy,  followed  by  his  friend  the  Abbot, 
who  said  to  him  in  a  low  tone :  "  That  is  his  Grace' 
the  Duke  of  Cornwall,  uncle  and  governor  of  the 
Prince.     He  is  a  most  noble  and  wise  man." 

The  Duke  conversed  quietly  for  a  few  moments 
with  the  Prince,  who  seemed  impressed  by  what  he 
said.  With  fickle  curiosity  he  turned  again  to  the 
American,  saying  more  gently  than  before,  — 

"  Approach  once  more.  His  Grace  holdeth  that 
your  ways  be  different  from  ours,  and  that  you, 
however  clumsily  it  may  be,  intend  a  courtesy  to  us. 
Say  to  your  chief — of  whatever  rank  he  is  —  that 
he  hath   our  gracious  permission  to  pay  his  duty  to 


A   PAGE   OF  UNWRITTEN  HISTORY.         23 

us  immediately.     And  I  wish  to  visit  your  ship,  and 
see  what  manner  of  men  ye  are." 

"The  General  will  bring  his  invitation,  your  Royal 
Highness,  and  you  will  be  received  with  all  ceremony 
on  our  flagship,  the  'Bald  Eagle.'  I  have  the 
honor  to  bid  you  good-morning,  sir.  Good-day  to 
you  all,  gentlemen."  And  with  due  courtesies 
to  the  Prince  and  his  train,  the  Captain  withdrew, 
accompanied  to  the  ship's  side  by  the  Master  of  the 
Horse  and  the  Abbot. 

Suddenly,  however,  Captain  Percy  turned,  just  as 
he  was  about  to  go  on  board  his  boat.  "  My  Lord," 
he  said,  "  I  bethink  myself  of  an  important  thing, 
which  will  enable  our  respective  ships  to  show- 
proper  honor  to  each  other's  flag.  May  I  have  the 
favor  of  a  word  with  your  captain?" 

"  Certes,  it  would  be  gross  discourtesy  for  me  to 
refuse  so  light  a  boon,"  replied  the  South-English- 
man; and  turning  to  a  short,  choleric-looking  man 
who  stood  near,  he  said,  — 

"  Sir  Wilfred  Blount,  we  crave  the  pleasure  of 
presenting  Captain  Percy,  of  the  household  of  the 
American  General  Vaughn,  that  you  may  in  honor 
meet." 

The  parties  thus  introduced  exchanged  ceremo- 
niously the  due  greetings,  and  the  American  then 
said :  — 

"  Sir  Wilfred,  as  our  ships  will  desire  to  honor 
each  other's  national  colors  (which  is  our  nautical 
name  for  flag  or  standard ),  I  doubt  not  that  you  will 


24  CENTURIES  APART. 

present  me  with  a  flag  of  South  England  to  take  to 
my  Commodore,  —  who  is  the  commander  of  the 
fleet,  —  that  he  may  have  it  to  display  at  masthead 
so  as  to  salute  it  on  occasions  of  ceremony.  And 
I  on  my  part  will  engage  to  send  you  at  once  a  new 
banner  of  the  Republic  of  the  United  States  of 
America  in  return  for  your  courtesy." 

"Assuredly  I  shall  esteem  it  matter  of  grace  to 
give  you  a  banner,"  growled  the  old  knight,  hoarsely, 
"  and  especially  sith  it  is  to  be  displayed  on  so 
noble  a  ship.  And  certes,  the  beauty  of  your  bright 
standard  shall  in  nowise  be  dimmed  by  the  honors 
it  receives  from  being  set  on  his  Highness's  '  Red 
Rose  of  Lancaster.'  " 

Having  delivered  himself  with  gruff  politeness  of 
this  sentiment,  Sir  Wilfred  ordered  a  flag  to  be 
fetched.  It  was  of  a  woollen  stuff,  and  showed  a 
white  field  with  a  red  cross  quartering  it.  In  the 
upper  inner  quarter  was  a  cluster  of  nine  red  roses, 
and  against  the  color  of  these  were  twined  three 
white  roses.  In  the  three  other  quarters  were  the 
three  Norman  lions,  one  in  each.  When  this  flag 
was  brought,  two  squires  unrolled  and  spread  it, 
advancing  so  as  to  display  it  between  them.  As  it 
was  borne  toward  the  American  officer,  he  stepped 
out  opposite  its  centre,  drew  his  sword,  and  saluted 
it  in  true  military  style.  Then  he  sheathed  his  wea- 
pon, and  the  banner  was  rolled  up  ready  to  be  sent  on 
board  the  American  flagship.     But  he  said :  — 

"  I  will  myself  bear  your  banner,  Sir  Wilfred.     No 


A    PAGE   OF   UNWRITTEN  HISTORY.         2$ 

other   hand    shall    touch  it  until    I  deliver  it  to  the 
captain  of  our  ship." 

All  this,  if  a  little  beyond  the  ordinary  thing,  was 
quite  politic,  and  produced  an  agreeable  impression 
upon  the  beholders. 


CHAPTER    II. 

THE  MEETING  OF  THE   SIXTEENTH  AND  NINETEENTH 
CENTURIES. 

0  brave  new  world,  that  has  such  people  in  '  t ! 

The  Tempest. 

WHEN  Percy  reached  the  flagship  again  and  reported, 
instant  preparation  was  made  by  the  General  to  visit 
the  South  English  ship.  He  invited  the  Commo- 
dore to  accompany  him,  and,  together  with  their 
staffs,  they  proceeded  on  board  the  "  Red  Rose." 
They  were  received  with  great  ceremony,  and  the 
Prince  in  his  wonder  and  curiosity  bore  himself  quite 
like  a  gentleman.  The  visitors  were  shown  over  the 
"  Red  Rose,"  and  were  intensely  interested  in  all  they 
saw.  Those  among  them  who  were  sufficiently  well 
read  found  that  the  ship,  in  build,  armament,  and 
general  arrangements,  was  not  far  in  advance  of  the 
men-of-war  of  the  sixteenth  century.  The  cabins  and 
quarters  of  the  Prince  and  his  suite  were  sumptuous 
in  some  respects,  squalid  in  others.  The  portion  of 
the  vessel  allotted  to  the  crew,  men-at-arms,  and 
indeed  to  most  of  the  officers,  would  not  compare  in 
cleanliness  or  comfort  with  those  on  board  the  mean- 
est coaster  of  these  days.  In  fact,  as  a  rule,  dirt  and 
foul  smells   below  decks   ruled    supreme.     The   ship 


MEETING   OF  THE   CENTURIES.  27 

mounted  quite  a  battery  of  small-bore  guns,  not  one 
of  them,  however,  carrying  a  heavier  ball  than  three 
pounds.    They  were  cast  fancifully  from  iron  or  brass, 
some  of  them   having  a  dragon's  head  and  some  a 
lion's,  at  the  muzzle.    The  powder  was  coarse-grained 
and   dirty,  and  the  balls  were  of  lead  or  iron.     The 
ship  had  a  beak  or  prow  plated  with  iron,  somewhat 
similar  to  that  of  an  ancient  Roman  war  galley,  above 
which  the  bowsprit  extended.     The  three  short  thick 
masts  had    each   a    regular  castle-turret    at    its    top, 
strongly  protected,  and  filled  with  archers  and  arque- 
busiers.    The  mode  of  attack  by  such  a  ship  evidently 
included  ramming,  and  the  armament,  aside  from  the 
guns,    indicated   that   fighting  at  close  quarters   was 
the  general  custom.     Long  lances  and  pikes  were  in 
racks  along  the  bulwarks.     A  body  of  arquebusiers, 
carrying  the  ancient  firearm  from  which  they  derived 
their  name,  was  drawn  up  amidships,  and  in  the  high, 
castle-like  structure  at  the  bow  was  placed  a  score 
or  so  of  archers  bearing  the  celebrated  English  long- 
bow.    Some  of  these  men  wore  steel  caps,  and  a  few 
had  corselets  or  shirts  of  mail ;   but  the  majority  were 
in   buff  or   green  jerkins,  with   a  red   or  white   rose 
rudely  embroidered  across  the  breast.    These  emblems 
were  also   painted   upon   the  defensive  armor  of  the 
other  men-at-arms. 

After  a  most  interesting  examination  of  this  medi- 
aeval ship  and  company,  the  General  Vaughn  extended 
an  urgent  invitation  to  the  Prince  and  his  nobles  to 
visit  the   American   fleet.     It  was   eagerly   accepted, 


28  CENTURIES  APART. 

and  the  American  Commodore  offered  the  use  of  the 
boats  of  the  squadron  to  bring  the  party  on  board. 

The  visitors  then  took  their  leave,  General  Vaughn 
saying  at  parting,  "  Your  Royal  Highness  must  come 
prepared  to  spend  the  rest  of  the  day  with  us,  for  we 
shall  pray  the  honor  of  the  presence  of  our  distin- 
guished guest  and  his  suite  at  dinner." 

In  half  an  hour's  time  a  dozen  boats,  each  in  charge 
of  an  officer  in  dress  uniform,  the  crew  in  full  rig,  and 
the  American  flag  flying  from  each  boat's  stern,  pulled 
alongside  the  "  Red  Rose  of  Lancaster,"  and  the 
Prince  and  his  train  were  received  on  board  with  due 
ceremony,  Captain  Percy  representing  the  General, 
and  the  Commodore's  chief-of-staff  representing  him. 
As  the  boats  started  for  the  American  ship,  then  lying 
about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  to  leeward,  with  the  other 
steamers  astern  of  her,  suddenly  all  the  yards  of  the 
vessels  were  manned,  and  the  South  English  ensign 
run  up.  At  the  same  instant  the  big  guns  began  to 
thunder  and  roar  a  salute.  The  Prince  was  evidently 
very  much  startled,  as  well  as  bewildered,  by  the  sight 
which  met  his  eyes,  and  almost  stunned  by  the 
terrific  din,  and  there  was  an  expression  of  doubt  and 
anxiety  visible  on  the  faces  of  more  than  one  of  the 
company.  However,  in  a  few  moments  they  were 
enveloped  in  the  smoke  from  the  guns,  and  then 
suddenly  found  themselves  alongside  of  the  landing- 
stage  of  the  flagship,  which  the  long,  gentle  swell 
easily  permitted  to  be  launched.  The  Prince  and 
his  knights,  all  in  full  armor,  were  assisted  to  the  deck. 


THE     MEETING     OF     THE     SIXTEENTH      IND     NINETEENTH 
CJRIES.      Pao 


MEETING    OF   THE    CENTURIES.  29 

Here  were  drawn  up  in  two  lines  and  in  four  ranks  a 
regiment  of  infantry  on  the  starboard,  and  a  battalion 
of  the  troopers  and  the  artillerymen  on  the  port  side. 
A  band  stationed  near  struck  up  "  God  save  the 
Queen,"  for  the  want  of  something  more  appropriate, 
and  amid  the  stunning  roar  of  the  heavy  guns,  the 
bray  of  trumpets  and  the  thunder  of  drums  (while- 
three  rousing  cheers  from  the  sailors  who  manned 
the  yards  added  a  sort  of  tenor  to  the  awful  noise), 
the  now  thoroughly  dazed  Prince  and  his  bewildered 
nobles  were  received  by  the  General  and  Commodore, 
supported  by  their  staffs  and  officers,  and  conducted 
to  the  quarter-deck,  where  seats  had  been  prepared 
for  them.  The  Prince's  party  consisted  of  some  forty 
nobles  and  ecclesiastics,  the  latter  including  the 
Cardinal  Primate  of  South  England,  as  he  was  en- 
titled, and  Captain  Percy's  friend,  the  Abbot  of  West- 
minster. The  meeting  of  all  these  gentlemen  and 
the  mutual  introductions  were  conducted  with  great 
form  and  ceremony,  such  as  the  American  comman- 
ders judged  would  be  agreeable  to  these  visitors,  as 
it  seemed,  from  the  Middle  Ages ;  and  it  is  probably 
the  only  instance  recorded  where  the  Past  has  been 
introduced  to  the  Present  under  such  conditions. 

Although  the  American  officers  showed  every  polite 
attention  possible  to  their  guests,  yet  it  was  some  time 
before  they  could  get  any  intelligible  replies  from 
them,  or  succeed  in  awakening  them  from  the  trance 
of  utterly  astonished  bewilderment  in  which  they 
seemed    to    dream.     Finally  the   Duke    of  Cornwall 


30  CENTURIES  APART. 

recovered  himself  in  a  measure,  and  said  to  General 
Vaughn : — 

"  Our  noble  host  and  his  worthy  officers  must, 
perforce,  pardon  what  in  us  must  seem  to  them  to  be 
churlish  amazement;  for,  by  Our  Lady,  the  like  of 
what  we  see  to-day  hath  never  before  been  imagined 
in  wildest  dreams.  We  should  make  no  doubt  it  were 
all  sorcery,  were  it  not  that  we  must  now  begin  to 
realize  what  wonders  there  be  in  the  outside  world 
from  which  our  fathers  came  so  many  ages  ago. 
Think  us  not  lacking  in  breeding,  noble  sir,  that  we 
are  so  far  speechless,  in  presence  of  such  wondrous 
things;  for  an  it  were  not  for  your  knightly  courtesy 
in  thus  kindly  welcoming  his  Royal  Highness  and  us, 
loyal  subjects  of  his  Greatest  Majesty,  King  Henry 
the  Ninth,  we  should  give  ourselves  up  as  being  under 
the  power  of  enchantment." 

The  American  General  smiled,  as  he  replied : 
"Your  Royal  Highness,  and  noble  and  reverend  gen- 
tlemen, I  beg  you  to  feel  yourselves  at  home  upon 
our  ship.  I  assure  you  that  we  feel  as  much  wonder 
and  interest  in  meeting  you  as  you  can  in  seeing  us. 
Think  of  it,  illustrious  guests,  —  your  very  land  and 
existence  are  now  for  the  first  time  made  known  to 
any  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  outside  world,  as  you 
properly  call  it.  And  as  far  as  we  yet  can  see  or 
judge,  you  are  living  as  our  common  ancestors  lived 
in  Old  England,  three  or  four  hundred  years  ago. 
Consider  the  delight  we  have  in  discovering  you,  and 
in  establishing,  as  we  hope,  a  lasting  communication 


MEETING   OF   THE   CENTURIES.  31 

and  friendship  with  a  hitherto  unknown  kindred 
nation.  You  would  appear  to  be  yet  in  the  charming 
age  of  chivalry  and  poesy.  We  are  far  past  that,  and 
we  exist  in  the  hard,  matter-of-fact  way  which  has 
come  upon  the  world  outside.  Doubtless  we  have 
made  vast  advances  in  many  respects ;  but  we  greatly 
think  that,  in  matters  of  chivalry,  courage,  and  in 
many  of  the  manly  virtues,  we  might  learn  of  you. 
But,  your  Highness,  this  is  no  time  for  me  to  spend 
in  moralizing.  It  were  better  to  invite  you  all  to  the 
cabin,  when,  after  breaking  bread  together,  we  will 
show  you  what  may  be  interesting  to  you  about  the 
ship." 

The  company  then  proceeded  to  the  cabin,  pre- 
ceded by  the  General,  escorting  the  Prince.  There 
was  some  confusion  in  arranging  "  the  order  of  their 
going,"  as  the  rules  of  precedence  were  evidently  very 
strict  at  the  South  English  court,  and  it  was  neces- 
sary for  the  senior  aide  of  the  General,  who  was  direc- 
ted to  arrange  these  matters,  to  call  upon  the  Prince's 
major-domo,  a  certain  Lord  Warwick.  Only  the 
highest  officers  of  the  American  army  and  fleet  sat  at 
table,  as  room  was  limited.  But  now  appeared  a  diffi- 
culty which  the  host  had  not  foreseen.  Not  a  guest 
knew  the  use  of  a  fork  or  spoon,  and  the  knives 
were  entirely  different  from  those  to  which  they  were 
accustomed.  General  Vaughn  was  obliged  to  explain 
the  use  of  the  table  implements;  this  he  did  in  such 
a  way  as  to  prevent  any  awkward  feeling  among  the 
guests,  who  took  the  situation  in  the  best  of  humor, 


32  CENTURIES  APART. 

and  laughed  over  their  own  ignorance  of  nineteenth 
century  table  usages.  The  viands  were  mostly 
strange  to  them  ;  still,  they  expressed  the  utmost  sat- 
isfaction, and  plainly  much  enjoyed  the  feast.  Fortu- 
nately there  was  plenty  of  game  in  the  larder,  thanks 
to  the  shooting  at  the  land  first  discovered,  and  it  was 
not  necessary  to  confine  the  dinner  to  salt  or  canned 
meats.  The  guests  proved  to  be  very  moderate  in 
the  use  of  wine.  In  fact,  as  was  afterward  found,  the 
South  English  considered  immoderate  drinking  as  in 
the  highest  degree  swinish,  and  drunkenness  was 
almost  unknown  among  them.  Tea  and  coffee  they 
evidently  did  not  appreciate,  plainly  partaking  of 
these  only  as  a  matter  of  politeness  to  their  hosts. 

But  when  the  cigars  were  lighted,  a  scene  ensued 
that  the  Americans  had  not  anticipated.  General 
Vaughn  being  at  the  head  of  the  table,  with  the 
Prince  upon  his  right  and  the  Cardinal  upon  his  left, 
cigars  were  passed  to  them  first.  He  inquired  of 
the  Prince  whether  they  knew  of  tobacco,  and  upon 
being  answered  in  the  negative,  he  explained  the 
material  and  texture  of  the  cigar  to  Prince  Harry, 
and  then  lighted  it  to  exhibit  the  use  of  the  weed. 
The  Cardinal  had  been  engaged  in  an  animated  con- 
versation with  his  next  neighbor  on  the  left,  an 
American  brigadier,  when  suddenly  he  beheld  this 
officer  take  a  small  stick  from  a  box  handed  him  by 
the  waiter,  and  rub  it  on  the  edge  of  the  box.  To 
his  amazement  it  burst  into  flame,  emitting  a  sul- 
phurous  odor !     Just   then    smelling  smoke  on    his 


MEETING   OF  THE   CENTURIES.  33 

right,  he  turned  to  General  Vaughn, as  the  latter  had 
taken  the  cigar  from  his  mouth,  and  was  in  the  act 
of  blowing  out  a  cloud  of  smoke.  The  horrified 
ecclesiastic  sprang  to  his  feet,  seized  his  crucifix  and 
held  it  in  General  Vaughn's  face,  shouting,  "  Avoid 
thee,  Sathanas  !  My  Lords,  draw  your  swords  and 
recite  your  credos !  We  are  in  the  hands  of  the 
devil  and  his  angels !  But  fear  not ;  we  will  over- 
power these  necromancers  yet !  "  and  he  proceeded 
to  lay  violent  hands  upon  General  Vaughn. 

The  South  English  lords  seized  their  swords  and 
began  quickly  to  rise  from  the  table.  For  a  moment 
affairs  wore  a  threatening  aspect;  but  the  Americans 
sat  coolly  enough,  and  Prince  Harry,  who  had  seen 
the  whole  operation  of  lighting  the  cigar,  shouted  in 
thunderous  tones :  "  Sit  ye  down,  South  English  gen- 
tlemen !  Unhand  our  noble  host,  your  Eminence  I 
See  ye  not  that  he  shows  us  only  yet  another 
wonder?  There  be  neither  flames  nor  fire  in  his 
mouth,  nor  smoke,  except  that  which  he  hath  sucked 
in  from  the  end  of  this  little  roll  of  dried  herbs." 

But  the  Cardinal  was  thoroughly  affrighted.  "  My 
Lords !  "  he  cried,  "  list  ye  that  his  Highness  be  be- 
witched to  his  own  undoing?  Heed  him  not,  but 
save  him  from  the  foul  fiend  !  " 

"  For  shame,  my  Lord  Cardinal !  "  roared  the  Prince. 
"  Sit  ye  down  and  hear  the  gentleman  speak !  Have 
we  only  now  for  the  first  time  seen  some  of  the  mar- 
vels of  the  outside  world,  to  be  scared  like  a  covey 
of  ptarmigan  when  they  behold  a  sea-hawk?     Have 

3 


34  CENTURIES  APART. 

ye  forgot  courage  and  courtesy  all  in  one  breath, 
that  ye  draw  swords  against  a  few  naked  men  ?  Down, 
all,  or,  by  our  Lady  of  the  Southern  Cross,  who  for- 
gets his  duty  and  obedience  to  me  drops  his  head, 
be  he  churchman  or  layman ! 

These  words  brought  the  nobles  to  their  senses 
and  silenced  the  clergy,  but  they  still  continued  to 
mutter  their  prayers  and  to  gaze  horror-struck  upon 
the  Americans.  The  Cardinal  sank  back  breathless 
in  his  chair;  for  like  Hamlet,  he  was  fat  and  scant  of 
breath  as  well  as  old,  and  the  fearful  excitement  of 
the  past  few  moments  had  quite  exhausted  him. 
General  Vaughn  arose  and  looked  around  upon  the 
scowling  faces  of  the  guests. 

"Your  Highness  and  gentlemen,"  he  said,  "  it  is  I 
who  am  to  blame  that  I  did  not  explain  fully  about 
these  matters  before  bringing  them  before  you,  as 
it  were,  without  notice.  But  the  truth  is,  we  are  so 
used  to  all  these  customs  that  we  never  think  of  their 
being  a  surprise  to  those  who  have  not  been  brought 
up  in  their  practice.  My  Lord  Cardinal,  you  undoubt- 
edly know  that  sulphur  is  used  in  part  in  the  making 
of  gunpowder?  " 

"  Verily  I  do,"  gasped  the  old  gentleman,  evidently 
much  relieved,  but  still  uneasy. 

"  Well,  sir,"  rejoined  the  General,  "  there  is  another 
substance  called  phosphorus,  which  alone  mixed  in 
proper  proportion  with  sulphur  and  put  upon  the 
end  of  these  small  sticks,  will  burst  into  flame  upon 
being   rubbed    smartly    upon    hard    objects.      These 


MEETING    OF   THE   CENTURIES.  35 

we  call  '  matches,'  and  this  is  now  our  means  of  ob- 
taining fire.  See ! "  and  he  lighted  two  or  three 
matches.  The  churchmen  and  some  of  the  knights 
yet  crossed  themselves,  as  they  looked  on  in  un- 
measured wonder  not  devoid  of  dread ;  but  the 
Prince  took  matches,  examined  them  closely  and 
lighted  several,  and  gradually  the  guests  grew 
ashamed  of  their  panic  and  were  absorbed  in  the 
interest  with  which  they  examined  the  strange  things. 
The  Cardinal  finally  became  reassured,  and  proceeded 
to  express  his  contrition  to  the  General  for  his  hasty 
conduct. 

"  I  cry  you  pardon,  my  son,"  said  he  ;  "I  see  that 
the  world  holds  more  marvels  yet  than  we,  shut  out 
from  it  as  we  are,  bethink  us  of.  I  will  haste  not 
more  to  judge  you,  for  I  perceive  you  to  be  wondrous 
men." 

Confidence  being  thus  restored,  but  a  few  moments 
more  were  spent  at  table,  and  then  the  guests  were 
invited  to  inspect  the  ship.  As  might  be  expected, 
the  greatest  wonder  to  them  was  the  steam  power.  As 
simple  and  clear  explanation  as  might  be  was  given, 
and  the  machinery  was  put  in  motion,  to  their  in- 
tense interest  and  gratification,  not  unmixed  with  awe 
and  evidently  some  suspicions  of  necromancy.  The 
great  guns  came  next  in  their  minds  as  marvellous, 
and  the  equipment  and  arms  of  the  soldiers  filled 
them  with  amazement.  They  could  not  conceive  of 
an  army  entirely  without  defensive  armor,  "naked" 
as   they  called    it,  and  were    none   the  less   surprised 


36  CENTURIES  APART. 

when  told  that  their  armor  was  of  no  use  as  against 
the  power  of  small-arms.  The  Prince  asked  for 
proof  of  this.  He  requested  that  one  of  his  suite 
should  be  conveyed  to  the  "  Red  Rose  "  to  fetch  a 
suit  of  his  armor.  This  having  been  brought,  and 
set  up  against  the  bulwarks,  several  shots  were  fired 
at  it  from  rifles  and  revolvers.  Every  one  pene- 
trated the  steel,  to  the  intense  surprise  of  all 
the  South  English.  "  Nathless,  my  Lord  General," 
said  the  Prince,  "  these  shots  were  fired  full  near. 
Even  our  arquebus  balls  will  peradventure  some- 
times crack  a  breastplate.  What  hap  should  the 
armor  be  a  bowshot  abroad  from  your  arquebusier?  " 

"  I  will  in  a  few  moments  more  satisfactorily  show 
your  Highness,"  replied  the  General;  and  he  caused 
the  armor  to  be  taken  to  the  most  distant  ship,  a 
third  of  a  mile  away,  and  set  up  in  a  conspicuous 
place.  Then  calling  for  sharpshooters,  he  ordered 
three  shots  fired  at  it;  after  which  signals  were  made 
by  an  officer  of  the  signal  corps  on  the  other  ship, 
that  all  the  shots  had  struck  the  mark  and  two  pierced 
it.  Both  the  signalling  itself  and  the  result  of  the 
firing,  as  seen  upon  examination  of  the  armor,  excited 
great  interest  among  the  guests. 

"By  my  halidom,"  exclaimed  the  Prince,  "what 
think  ye,  my  Lord  of  Cornwall?  If  we  have  seen  so 
many  strange  things  in  a  few  short  hours  among 
these  gentlemen,  what  hap  if  we  bore  them  in  com- 
pany for  a  month  ?  Beshrew  me,  but  it  would  much 
pleasure  our  Lord  the  King,  my  royal  father,  that  they 


MEETING   OF  THE   CENTURIES.  37 

be  commanded  to  visit  his  city  of  South  London,  to 
show  him  what  manner  of  men  they  be." 

"  A  most  fair  thought,  and  worthy  of  your  Royal 
Highness,"  replied  the  Duke  ;  "  and  I  wot  well  that 
none  among  these  gentle  strangers  but  would  be 
merry  enow  to  be  allowed  to  pay  their  duty  to  our 
glorious  King,  Henry  the  Ninth." 

"  Lay,  then,  our  command  upon  this  General,"  said 
the  Prince,  "  that  he  sail  his  ships  eftsoon  to  South 
England  yonder,  in  company  with  our  '  Red  Rose  of 
Lancaster'  (for  I  will  e'en  end  this  cruise  this  day), 
and  enter  the  South  Thames,  whence,  by  permission 
of  the  King,  he  may  bring  his  ships  to  the  city,  there 
to  pay  his  duty  to  our  royal  father." 

But  the  American  General  now  stepped  forward 
with  a  mien  quite  different  from  that  which  he  had 
worn  hitherto. 

"  Your  Royal  Highness  and  my  Lords,"  he  said, 
"  it  is  time  that  you  fully  understood  our  position  in 
relation  to  yourselves,  your  King  and  nation.  We 
have  no  more  duty  to  show  your  King  than  he  has  to 
show  us.  The  commanders  of  this  armament  will 
gratefully  accept  an  invitation  to  visit  your  King  and 
country,  but  you  must  well  understand  that  no  com- 
mands can  be  laid  upon  us  excepting  by  our  own 
ruler,  the  President  of  the  Great  Republic  of  the 
United  States  of  America.  It  may  sound  strangely 
to  you,  but  all  American  citizens  are  equal  before 
the  law,  and  our  rulers  are  chosen  from  among 
ourselves.     Yet,  when  a  citizen   is  chosen  to   be  our 


38  CENTURIES  APART. 

chief  ruler,  he  becomes  the  head  of  a  mighty  re- 
public, such  as  no  age  of  the  world  has  ever  before 
known.  Neither  I,  nor  any  officer,  or  soldier,  or 
seaman,  on  this  fleet  would  be  permitted  to  receive 
commands  from  any  king,  potentate,  or  power  on 
earth.  All  communications  made  to  me  must  be 
made  with  the  full  understanding  that  I  represent 
here  the  government  of  the  Republic. 

"  The  principle  of  our  national  life  is  the  Sover- 
eignty of  the  People ;  and  every  man  is  free  to 
exercise  his  rights  and  hold  his  own  opinions  in 
politics,  in  religion,  and  in  general  life,  as  long  as  he 
does  not  interfere  with  any  other  man's  rights,  and 
obeys  the  laws  which  are  framed  to  that  end.  We 
are  just  now  engaged  in  a  terrible  war  for  the  crush- 
ing out  of  a  rebellion  against  these  ideas ;  and  we 
are  sure  of  success. 

"  But  while  our  people  are  thus  jealous  of  their 
position,  and  our  government  is  as  proud  and  high- 
spirited  as  any  king  on  earth,  we  always  aim  at 
cultivating  the  friendliest  and  most  respectful  rela- 
tions with  all  other  nations ;  and  if  you  kindly  desire 
to  invite  us  to  visit  your  royal  master  and  your 
country,  we  shall  most  happily  accept  the  invitation. 
We  are  very  proud  to  have  been  the  discoverers  of  a 
great  English  power  in  this  remote  part  of  the  earth ; 
and  believe  me,  when  we  report  the  existence  of 
your  land  and  people  to  the  outside  world,  there  will 
be  a  wonder  and  an  interest  excited  second  to  none 
ever  felt  It  will  equal  that  aroused  by  the  discovery 
of  America  by  Columbus." 


MEETING    OF   THE   CENTURIES.  39 

This  speech  of  General  Vaughn  produced  a  sin- 
gular effect.  The  haughty  nobles  at  first  appeared 
incensed  at  such  bold  language  used  to  their  Prince. 
The  latter  was  apparently  perfectly  confounded  at 
what  he  at  first  held  to  be  unheard  of  audacity.  It 
is  doubtful  if  any  one  of  the  South  English  half 
comprehended  the  American's  explanations,  and  all 
remained  silent.  Finally  the  Duke  of  Cornwall 
craved  permission  of  the  Prince  to  speak  in  reply, 
and  said  :  — 

"  Our  noble  friend  and  most  courteous  and  gen- 
erous host  must  perforce  pardon  us  for  not  under- 
standing these  strange  things.  His  nation  would 
seem  to  be  made  up  of  all  princes  and  lords ;  cer- 
tainly the  bearing  of  himself  and  his  officers  is  such 
as  to  make  us  fain  to  think  thus.  Yet  the  courtesy 
shown  us  by  our  noble  hosts  we  should  think  shame 
not  to  return  in  our  way;  and  his  Royal  Highness 
commands  me  therefore  right  joyfully  to  invite  the 
General  Vaughn  to  bring  his  fleet  and  army  to  his 
Majesty's  city  of  South  London,  there  to  pay  respects 
to  our  gracious  master,  Henry  the  Ninth,  and  to 
abide  for  such  a  space  as  seemeth  fitting,  before 
proceeding  on  his  cruise." 

"  I  thankfully  accept  your  most  kind  and  courteous 
invitation,"  replied  the  General,  in  behalf  of  myself 
and  my  command.  I  am  compelled  to  say,  however, 
that  we  shall  be  obliged  to  limit  our  stay  to  such 
time  as  may  be  required  to  the  paying  due  honor  to 
his  Majesty  the  King,  and   for  the  necessary  repairs 


40  CENTURIES  APART. 

to  our  ships,  which  I  shall  pray  his  Majesty's  per- 
mission to  make  at  his  city  and  harbor  of  South 
London.  But  by  the  imperative  orders  of  my  gov- 
ernment I  make  all  haste  to  continue  our  voyage  to 
its  termination.  As  fortunate  as  we  have  been  in 
falling  in  with  your  land  and  people,  we  are  very 
unfortunate  in  having  been  forced  away  from  our 
course  by  terrible  storms,  which  drove  us  into  your 
ocean.  Honor  and  duty  demand  that  we  be  on  our 
way  as  soon  as  may  be  after  paying  our  respects  to 
King  Henry." 

The  General  then  invited  the  Prince  and  his  suite 
to  remain  upon  the  American  ship  for  the  remainder 
of  the  voyage.  The  Prince  was  evidently  greatly 
pleased,  and  accepted  the  invitation  for  himself  and 
a  part  of  his  suite,  but  directed  the  rest  to  return  to 
the  "  Red  Rose."  The  American  Commodore  then 
suggested  taking  the  South  English  ship  in  tow,  but 
that  did  not  suit  the  dignity  of  the  Prince,  and  so 
the  fleet  got  under  way  in  the  wake  of  the  "  Red 
Rose,"  which  moved  leisurely  through  the  water 
at  the  rate  of  about  five  knots,  the  wind  being 
fair  and  on  the  port  quarter.  The  Prince  ran  about 
the  ship  like  a  boy,  all  excitement  at  everything  he 
saw.  He  spent  very  much  time  in  the  engine  room, 
and  was  completely  fascinated  by  the  play  of  the 
machinery. 

As  the  afternoon  wore  away,  however,  he  grew 
tired,  and  his  entertainers  not  less  so,  and  all  were 
glad  enough  when  he  expressed  a  wish  to  go  to  the 


MEETING   OF  THE   CENTURIES.  4 1 

cabin  for  rest.  When  all  were  seated,  the  American 
General  asked  if  it  would  be  agreeable  to  the  guests 
to  explain  how  a  great  English  nation  should  be 
found  in  so  remote  a  part  of  the  world.  The  Prince 
remained  silent  from  sheer  fatigue,  but  the  Duke  of 
Cornwall  remarked,  — 

"  With  his  Highness's  approval,  our  excellent  friend 
the  Abbot  of  Westminster  will  be  blythe  to  expound 
to  our  noble  hosts  the  history  of  our  nation;  for 
by  'r  Lady,  none  in  the  land  are  wiser  than  he  in 
black-letter  lore." 

The  Abbot  smiled  in  gratified  pride,  and  bowing 
to  the  Prince  and  General  Vaughn,  entered  upon 
his  tale. 

"The  noble  General  and  his  train  must  know  as 
well  as  we  that  the  wars  of  the  Roses  closed  in  the 
year  1485,  by  the  accession  to  the  throne  of  Henry 
Tudor,  Earl  of  Richmond.  Although  this  ended  the 
fighting,  —  and  England  waxed  weary  enow  of  it,  — 
yet  was  there  grievous  ill-content  that  this  Henry, 
whose  shield  bore  the  bar  sinister,  should  wield  the 
sceptre  of  the  Plantagenets  in  '  merry  England  ; '  and 
moreover,  those  who  murmured  were  not  only 
Yorkists,  but  many  of  the  party  of  the  Red  Rose. 
A  half  of  the  old  nobility  had  perished,  either  upon 
the  stricken  field  or  upon  the  scaffold.  For  all  that, 
many  were  left,  of  both  factions,  living  in  exile  in 
France,  Austria,  Burgundy,  or  elsewhere  over  seas. 
A  woeful  number  of  the  noblest  were  in  great  penury, 
or  existing  only  on   the  bounty  of  the  rulers  of  those 


42  CENTURIES  APART. 

lands;  and  some  of  those  who  could,  made  essay  to 
return  to  England  when  peace  came.  But  goodly- 
store  of  these  exiles,  of  both  parties,  drew  together 
as  best  they  might  in  France,  abiding  there  in  sul- 
len discontent  for  well-nigh  fifteen  years  after  the 
peace.  These  being  much  exercised  in  mind  by  the 
many  reports  of  successful  voyages  of  the  adven- 
turers who  followed  Columbus,  they  vowed  to  band 
themselves  together  to  seek  those  strange  shores, 
where,  please  God,  they  might  set  up  a  new  kingdom 
of  England,  and  gain  wealth  and  power,  without 
bowing  at  the  knee  of  Henry  Tudor.  Their  plan 
was  kept  long  secret,  and  they  sent  messages  to  such 
English  exiles  as  yet  remained  in  other  lands,  to 
persuade  them  to  join  them  at  Paris,  where  they 
were  quietly  making  ready.  They  likewise  sent  to 
their  friends  in  England  itself,  that  they  should  make 
common  cause  with  them. 

"  They  adopted  for  a  leader  a  certain  bold  soldier 
of  fortune  called  Lord  Harry  Plantagenet.  This 
nobleman  was  scarce  known  in  England.  He  was, 
in  truth,  a  prince  of  royal  blood,  being  twin  brother 
of  Prince  Edward,  son  of  Henry  the  Sixth,  and  had 
been  sent  as  a  child  by  the  King  to  Rome,  to  be 
educated  for  holy  orders.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  he 
had  escaped  from  his  tutor,  found  a  friend  in  a 
powerful  Scottish  lord,  then  on  a  mission  at  Rome, 
and  in  this  lord's  train  repaired  to  Scotland,  where 
he  was  trained  to  arms.  After  this  he  went  again 
beyond  seas,  taking  service  in  the  army  of  Charles 


MEETING   OF  THE   CENTURIES.  43 

the   Bold,  where  he  gained  much  fame ;  but  having  a 
slight  put  upon  him   by  the  Duke,  he  left  his  court 
and  repaired   to   France,   and   offering   his   sword  to 
Louis  the  Eleventh,   told  him    frankly  who   he  was. 
The   King   would   fain   take    a  liking  to  him,  and  he 
grew    to    great    friendship    with    the    natural    son   of 
Louis,  the  Count  de  Plessis.     This  youth  had  been 
a  wild  and  disorderly  young  man,  spending  much  of 
his   previous  life   at   the  court  of    Naples,  where  his 
extravagance   and  debaucheries   were  so  great  as  to 
cause   him   to   be   recalled  by  Louis  to  Paris,  where, 
after   a  severe   imprisonment   of  two    years,    he  was 
compelled  to   live  in  strict  retirement.     But  he  was 
brave  as  well  as  dissolute,  and  eager  to  enter  upon 
any  adventure  that  would  promise  fame  or   fortune 
or  both.     As    years    went    by    Louis    died,  and   was 
succeeded   by  Charles  the   Eighth,  the  Count's  half 
brother.     Meantime  the  Count  had  been  fired  by  the 
accounts  of  discoveries  in  the  New  World,  and  with 
his     friend     Lord     Harry    Plantagenet    schemed    for 
years  to  obtain  possession  of  ships,  that  they  might 
sail    over    seas    and    find    the    fame,    fortune,    and 
dominion  that  they  craved    in  the  newly  discovered 
lands.     They  interested   the  King    in   their  projects, 
yet  was  he  unwilling  to   give  them  ships  or  money 
until  years   had   passed.     At  last   he  moved  himself 
to  help  them  to  some  end,  for  the  English  exiles  had 
gathered   from    all    parts,  and   they  had   been  joined 
by  many  younger  sons  of   families  in    England    im- 
poverished   by    the    wars,    and    likewise    by    certain 


44  CENTURIES  APART. 

adventurers.  Also  were  there  many  French  gentle- 
men who  wished  to  join  with  them. 

"About  this  time  the  Count  de  Plessis  came  into 
possession,  from  his  mother's  family,  of  large  sums 
of  gold ;  and  this,  added  to  the  remainder  of  the 
mostly  squandered  wealth  left  him  by  his  father, 
King  Louis,  made  for  enow  to  buy  some  ships. 
The  King  also  gave  him  more ;  for  strange  stories 
of  fabulous  wealth  to  be  got  for  the  mere  taking,  in 
lands  said  to  be  south  of  those  seized  of  the 
Spaniards,  had  of  late  reached  him. 

"  Likewise  had  the  Lord  Plantagenet  and  his  English 
friends  been  helped  to  money  and  several  large  ships 
by  some  London  merchants,  who  wished  to  share  in 
the  expected  profits  of  the  adventure. 

"  The  intended  expedition  had  been  held  secret 
from  all  eyes,  from  fear  of  Spanish  interference,  and 
at  last  the  ships  sailed  from  different  ports,  lest  too 
much  note  be  made  of  them.  They  met  off  the 
Azores,  and  much  they  marvelled  at  being  joined 
there  by  five  more  English  vessels,  having  on  board 
about  seven  hundred  adventurers.  The  company 
did  not  go  as  conquerors  alone,  but  as  colonists;  and 
many  families  went  entire,  —  among  them  goodly  store 
of  ladies  of  quality  who  were  wives  and  daughters 
of  the  barons,  as  well  as  other  women.  The  whole 
of  them  that  went  were  about  three  thousand  souls. 
They  sailed  southward,  keeping  near  the  African 
coast,  hoping  to  cross  the  broad  ocean  at  a  part  said 
to  be  much  narrower  than  where  Columbus  and  the 


MEETING    OF   THE   CENTURIES.  45 

Cabots  sailed.  Indeed,  they  landed  more  than  once 
on  the  African  soil,  to  obtain  water,  and  fresh  meat 
by  hunting,  and  many  were  their  adventures  with 
wild  beasts  and  savage  tribes  in  those  days.  At 
length  the  winds,  which  had  been  strong,  grew 
boisterous  from  the  north,  yet  not  perilously  so, 
and  the  ships  sailed  on,  still  southwardly,  until,  after 
having  been  blown  before  them  for  weeks,  they 
found  themselves  in  this  Warm  Current  into  whose 
power  you  have  fallen.  After  many  days  of  dark 
and  woeful  drifting  among  ice,  during  which  awful 
time  one  ship  was  lost  and  others  sadly  crushed, 
they  came  to  a  land  which  we  call  Iceland,  far  north 
of  these  parts,  where  they  landed,  praising  the  saints 
for  their  deliverance.  They  found  plenty  of  game 
and  fish  there,  and  rested  for  a  brief  space.  Then 
hearing  from  the  natives  of  that  country  that  there 
was  land  farther  south,  they  sailed  on  and  found  this 
island,  which,  seeming  somewhat  like  unto  England, 
they  named  it  South  England,  and  took  possession 
thereof.  Now  this  was  in  the  springtime  when  they 
landed,  although  'twere  autumn  at  their  old  home; 
and  the  summer  was  upon  them  anon,  blythely  for 
them,  for  they  knew  not  as  yet  the  dark  winter  of 
this  clime. 

"  Nor  did  they  find  the  land  untenanted ;  for  here 
dwelt  a  pale  people,  whom  the  holy  and  learned 
monks  who  came  with  the  adventurers  found  de- 
scended from  both  Greek  and  Asiatic  stock,  and 
whose  ancestors  had  migrated  to  South  Africa  and 


46  CENTURIES  APART. 

thence  to  these  shores,  mayhap  five  hundred  years 
before.  They  were  likewise  Christians,  after  a  rude 
fashion,  and  had  monasteries  and  churches.  These 
folk  warred  among  themselves  (for  they  were  broken 
into  petty  kingdoms),  and  the  king  of  that  country 
where  our  fathers  came  to  shore  besought  them 
sore  to  yield  help  against  his  foe,  the  king  of  that 
land  which  is  now  the  county  of  South  Devon. 
Lord  Harry  and  the  Count  led  their  little  array  in 
alliance  with  this  king's  army  against  his  enemy,  and 
completely  defeated  them  in  three  fierce  encounters, 
conquering  that  kingdom  for  their  ally,  who  waxed 
old  and  feeble,  his  only  heir  being  a  young  girl. 
This  princess  was  given  the  Lord  Harry  Plantagenet 
to  wife,  and  on  the  death  of  the  old  king  he  ascended 
the  throne.  He  soon  attacked  in  turn  all  the  other 
princes  of  the  island,  and  subjected  the  whole  to  his 
sway.  Thus  was  he  a  second  William  the  Conqueror. 
He  re-named  the  cities,  and  indeed  nearly  all  the 
land,  —  rivers,  seas,  and  mountains,  —  calling  them 
after  those  of  the  dear  old  England,  which  in  many 
ways  is  this  island  like  unto.  Yet  were  some  of 
the  original  names  retained. 

"  Eftsoon  his  friend  the  Count  de  Plessis,  with  the 
French  nobles  and  men-at-arms,  crossed  the  narrow 
seas,  which  be  marvellous  like  to  the  Strait  of  Dover, 
and,  aided  by  English  knights,  conquered  the  coun- 
try there,  in  which  dwelt  the  same  manner  of  folk 
as  inhabited  South  England.  The  Count  and  his 
French   called    it    '  La    Nouvelle  France,'    and    built 


MEETING    OF   THE   CENTURIES.  47 

castles  and  seized  cities  in  like  fashion  as  had  been 
done  by  the  English  here.  Both  the  Count,  who 
now  became  King  Louis  the  First,  and  Henry  the 
First  of  South  England,  treated  the  conquered 
peoples  with  gentleness  and  wisdom,  establishing 
trade,  manufactures,  mining,  and  agriculture,  in  ways 
heretofore  unknown  among  them.  Since  then  these 
peoples  have  increased  and  prospered  in  wondrous 
manner,  and  have  become  as  English  here  and 
French  there  as  in  the  old    countries,  I  wot. 

"  Since  those  days  the  history  of  these  countries 
hath  been  less  varied,  belike,  than  that  of  the  lands 
of  Europe.  The  Plantagenets  still  rule  here,  glory 
to  the  saints  !  and  the  descendant  of  Louis  the  First, 
whilom  Count  de  Plessis,  beareth  sway  in  La 
Nouvelle  France.  Wars  have  raged  betwixt  the 
two  nations,  and  voyages  of  discovery  have  been 
made,  in  hope  of  finding  a  passage  to  the  Old  World 
whence  we  came.  But  everywhere  we  find,  in  sail- 
ing many  hundred  miles  east,  west,  north,  and  south, 
the  belt  of  frozen  countries  or  of  eternal  ice.  None 
have,  moreover,  ever  till  now  reached  us  from  beyond 
that  ice. 

"  As  to  our  ways  of  life,  we  were  forced  from  the 
beginning  to  bear  as  best  we  might  the  long  winter 
with  its  weeks  without  the  sun.  The  summer  is 
short  and  warm,  the  springtime  and  autumn  shorter. 
The  night  of  winter  is  not,  nathless,  dark  with  the 
gloom  of  your  night-time.  The  aurora  noctis  here 
is    wondrous    shining,    and     in    no    writings    of    the 


48  CENTURIES  APART. 

ancients  have  I  seen,  no,  nor  in  any  of  the  books 
brought  from  England,  printed  by  Caxton,  neither 
beheld  I  ever,  any  mention  of  such  brightness.  The 
winter  hath  not  great  coldness,  and  there  be  few- 
snows,  but  many  rains.  The  Warm  Current  which 
sweeps  about  the  greater  part  of  South  England 
floweth  to  the  northwest,  after  leaving  our  shores, 
and  giveth  us  a  gentle  climate,  full  different  from 
that  of  lands  to  north  and  south  of  us.  Our  sum- 
mers be  warm  long  time  enow  to  ripen  grains,  the 
vine,  and  some  fruits,  as  best  the  apple.  But  we 
know  not  of  many  products  such  as  we  read  of, 
described  by  writers  of  past  time  who  have  seen 
such  things. 

"  Heaven  hath  vouchsafed  us  mines  of  gold,  silver, 
copper,  iron,  coal-stone,  as  well  as  sulphur,  salt,  and 
other  commodities,  and  our  folk  dig  great  store  of 
these  from  the  earth.  Much  we  use  ourselves,  and 
much  we  sell  to  the  French,  whose  mines  are  far 
distant,  in  the  mountains  to  southward,  across  the 
branch  of  the  Warm  Current,  which  maketh  around 
the  south  of  their  country.  Some  of  these  mountains 
are  volcanoes,  and  there  their  land  is  hot  indeed  in 
summer ;  and  from  thence  come  diamonds  and  all 
manner  of  precious  stones. 

"  Such,  noble  hosts,  is  our  kingdom,  and  thus 
came  our  ancestors  to  it.  We  love  it  well ;  but 
among  our  churchmen,  more  than  amid  laymen,  be 
there  many  who  have  made  great  study  of  the  annals 
of  past  ages,  and  we  know,  as  do  you,  the  history  of 


MEETING   OF  THE   CENTURIES.  49 

the  ancients,  and  that  of  Europe  to  near  the  year 
of  grace  1500,  —  yea,  and  of  England,  the  home  of 
our  fathers,  which  we  trust  still  to  be  in  her  glory. 

"  But  you  who  come  from  the  realms  where  there 
is  day  and  night  ever,  and  whose  mighty  nation  was 
yet  unborn  when  our  fathers  sailed  down  the  seas, 
we  pray  you  to  tarry  long  enow  with  us  to  tell  of  the 
world  and  its  present  wonders.  And  when  you  go, 
may  all  the  saints  speed  you,  and  either  bring  you 
again  here,  or  send  others  who  can  and  will  come, 
having  learned  from  you  who  and  what  we  are  who 
abide  here,  that  we  may  open  friendship  and  knowl- 
edge with  the  world  outside ;  for  the  great  steam- 
driven  ships  such  as  you  sail  in  against  wind  and 
tide  can  brave  and  overcome  all  difficulties,  which  to 
us  are  a  hopeless  barrier  to  dealings  with  our  fellow- 
men  elsewhere.  For  we  weary  of  being  shut  out 
from  the  world  beyond,  and  would  fain  be  of  it,  as 
well  as  a  remote  part  of  it,  unbeknown  as  we  are  of 
all  men.     Pax  vobiscum  !  " 

And  the  Abbot  had  finished  his  tale. 

By  this  time  it  was  well  into  the  night  by  the  hour, 
but  still  the  sun  was  high.  The  company  adjourned 
to  the  deck,  to  find  the  ships  rolling  on  a  gentle  swell 
and  close  on  the  coast.  Wooded  cliffs  stretched 
away  on  every  hand,  and  directly  ahead  was  the 
mouth  of  a  river.  The  "  Red  Rose  "  was  nearly  a 
mile  in  advance,  with  all  sail  set.  The  deciduous  trees 
were  not  yet  in  full  leaf,  but  evergreens  abounded. 
On    a    rocky    height    on    the    starboard    bow   was    a 

4 


50  CENTURIES  APART. 

mediaeval  castle  with  a  royal  standard  displayed. 
The  American  ships  had  slowed  up  so  as  barely  to 
keep  steerage  way,  and  were  heaving  the  lead  con- 
stantly. At  last  the  "  Red  Rose  "  was  hove  to,  and 
waited  for  the  fleet  to  come  up.  The  flagship  ran 
alongside  of  her,  and  an  officer  was  sent  aboard  to 
ask  for  a  pilot.  The  captain  at  first  did  not  under- 
stand what  was  wanted  ;  finally,  however,  compre- 
hending, he  said  that  there  was  water  enough  in  mid 
channel  quite  up  to  the  city,  six  miles  inland. 

As  the  Prince  preferred  to  remain  on  the  steamer, 
the  American  captain  sent  to  the  South  English  ship 
for  a  royal  standard  to  display  at  masthead. 

This  being  set,  the  "  Red  Rose  "  immediately 
began  a  salute,  and  was  answered  by  cannon  from 
the  castle,  and  the  American  fleet  immediately 
opened  fire  in  reply.  As  they  drew  nearer,  the 
castle  walls  were  seen  to  be  crowded  with  men,  and 
the  shores  were  also  lined  with  people,  gazing  with 
awe  at  the  unwonted  sight.  Various  small  vessels, 
probably  coasters  or  fishermen,  were  sailing  into  or 
out  of  the  river,  but  they  were  observed  to  give  the 
strange  ships  a  wide  berth. 

The  American  ships  cautiously  felt  their  way  up 
the  channel  of  the  river,  which  was  about  a  mile 
wide  at  its  mouth,  and  at  last,  after  passing  round  a 
bend,  the  city  broke  upon  their  view  some  miles 
distant.  Villages  of  squalid  huts  were  here  and 
there  scattered  along  the  banks,  with  now  and  then 
a    tower    or    castle    on    some    commanding    point. 


MEETING   OF  THE   CENTURIES.  51 

People  everywhere  were  rushing  to  the  shores,  and 
bodies  of  horsemen  could  be  descried  hurrying 
toward  the  city  from  different  directions. 

At  last  they  turned  another  bend  and  were  oppo- 
site the  town,  which  was  built  upon  both  banks,  with 
bridges  across  at  intervals.  Small  vessels,  evidently 
fishing  craft,  interspersed  with  some  larger  ones,  and 
nearer  the  city  about  a  dozen  men-of-war,  lay  at 
anchor,   or   at   pier. 

At  this  point  many  pages  of  the  journal  of  Captain 
Percy  are  almost  entirely  illegible,  having  evidently 
been  soaked  in  water.  Enough  can  be  deciphered 
to  indicate  that  the  American  fleet  was  received  with 
great  ceremony  and  most  profound  wonder.  The 
city  was  found  to  be  composed  of  many  palaces 
and  castles,  surrounded  with  low  houses,  in  narrow 
crooked  streets,  and  hundreds  of  squalid  huts.  The 
streets  were  hardly  passable  in  some  places,  unpaved, 
and  extremely  filthy.  The  people  exhibited  every 
indication  of  being  yet  in  the  condition  of  the  Middle- 
Ages.  Nobles  and  knights  rode  about  followed  by 
their  trains;  stout  burghers  and  their  families  walked 
along,  picking  their  way  as  best  they  might;  and 
crowds  of  dirty  vagrants  and  beggars  abounded. 
Here  and  there  wretches  skulked  through  the  mud, 
who  wore  chains,  and  exhibited  every  mark  of  degra- 
dation.    They  were  evidently  slaves. 

The  Americans  were  struck  by  the  extreme  pale- 
ness of  the  people.  The  ship's  company  of  the 
"  Red  Rose  "  had  been  at  sea  and  were  sunburned, 


52  CENTURIES  APART. 

but  on  shore  all  were  so  very  white.  The  explana- 
tion given  them  was  that  the  great  mass  of  the  popu- 
lation ashore  had  not  yet  got  back  their  color,  lost 
during  the  absence  of  the  sun  in  the  dark  months  of 
winter.  In  a  few  weeks  they  would  be  ruddy 
enough. 

It  had  proved  after  careful  examination  that  it  was 
imperatively  necessary  that  the  flagship  should  be 
discharged  of  her  cargo,  which  consisted  of  the 
artillery  and  a  large  part  of  the  ammunition  of  the 
army,  so  that  she  could  be  hauled  up  where 
her  bottom  might  receive  indispensable  repairs. 
This  had  been  explained  to  the  King  at  the  first 
audience  held  by  the  American  General,  in  which  he 
had  begged  the  privilege  of  being  allowed  to  land 
his  troops  and  to  establish  a  camp,  for  the  time  that 
it  might  be  necessary  to  remain  in  South  England. 
In  granting  cordially  this  request,  the  King  had 
invited  him  to  select  his  own  ground,  and  even 
offered  the  use  of  a  castle  for  his  convenience. 
But  General  Vaughn  with  many  thanks  declined 
this  kind  offer,  for  both  public  and  private  reasons. 
The  public  one  was  that  he  felt  it  imperative  to 
remain  with  his  army  for  the  sake  of  discipline  and 
the  possible  safety  of  all  concerned ;  and  the  private 
reason  was  principally  that  the  sanitary  condition 
of  every  palace  and  castle  which  he  had  visited  in 
the  few  first  days  of  his  stay  in  the  country  had 
seemed  intolerable  to  a  man  of  the  nineteenth 
century.     Luxury  and  squalor  walked  hand  in  hand. 


MEETING   OF  THE   CENTURIES.  53 

Foulness,  vermin,  and  bad  odors  were  only  relieved 
by  a  free  admission  of  fresh  air.  The  floors  were, 
apparently,  seldom  if  ever  swept.  Dogs  were  in- 
numerable, and  uncleanness  was  poorly  concealed 
by  rushes  thickly  scattered  about.  Furniture,  except 
in  the  apartments  devoted  to  lords  and  ladies,  was 
very  primitive  and  coarse.  It  was  quite  singular  to 
note  the  surprise  and  admiration  which  King  and 
court  manifested  when  they  visited  the  fleet,  and 
observed  the  plain  and  light  furniture,  and  the 
accommodations  of  the  ships'  cabins,  which  in  con- 
venience and  comfort  were  a  revelation  to  them. 

Before  landing  the  General  had  caused  most  strict 
orders  to  be  promulgated  in  regard  to  the  bear- 
ing and  discipline  to  be  maintained  while  ashore, 
fully  explaining  the  vital  necessity  of  observing  the 
utmost  care  in  all  communications  and  dealings 
with  the  inhabitants.  He  reminded  his  officers  and 
soldiers  that  the  army  were  guests  of  generous  hosts, 
but  of  an  unknown  people,  in  an  entirely  different 
state  of  civilization  from  their  own.  Any  misbe- 
havior was  to  be  punished  by  confinement  on  board 
of  one  of  the  ships  until  the  day  of  sailing.  In  the 
sequel  it  proved  that  such  was  the  character  of  the 
troops  comprising  the  force,  that  only  seven  men 
were  confined  during  their  stay.  The  Commodore 
also  issued  similar  orders  to  the  crews  of  the  ships.- 

It  soon  became  manifest  that  the  government  of 
this  King  was  an  absolute  despotism,  corresponding 
nearly  with  that  of  Henry  the  Eighth.     There  seemed 


54  CENTURIES  APART. 

to  be  no  disturbing  questions  on  the  score  of  religion ; 
the  King  was  the  head  of  Church  and  State.  But 
that  political  difficulties  were  not  unknown,  was 
easily  to  be  apprehended  from  the  fact  that  on  both 
"Tower  Hill"  and  the  "London  bridges"  over  the 
river,  not  a  few  heads  were  to  be  seen  of  unfortunate 
victims  of  the  block.  As  it  was  the  especial  privi- 
lege of  noble  blood  to  be  ushered  into  the  next 
world  through  the  instrumentality  of  the  headsman, 
whenever  the  King's  impression  was  that  certain  of 
the  barons  or  knights  would  best  become  this  life  by 
leaving  it  (while  the  vulgar  were  hustled  off  on  the 
gallows,  or  possibly,  in  aggravated  cases,  by  means 
of  immersion  in  boiling  oil),  it  followed  that  each 
one  of  these  blackened  heads  represented  some  Lord 
This,  or  the  Earl  or  Marquis  of  That,  or  even  per- 
haps Lady  Somebody;  and  one  head  was  pointed 
out  to  General  Vaughn  as  having  originally  pertained 
to  a  certain  Bishop  of  Rockminster,  who  had  under- 
taken to  explain  to  his  Majesty  that  the  Golden  Rule, 
to  be  reasonably  operative,  must  be  practised  by  the 
highest  as  well  as  by  the  lowest.  To  his  reasoning, 
which  to  us  of  the  nineteenth  century  would  not 
appear  utterly  illogical,  the  King  had  replied :  "  My 
Lord  Bishop,  thy  tongue  droppeth  rare  wisdom. 
Perhaps  in  a  higher  position  it  might  teach  thy 
brethren  yet  greater  sagacity."  And  the  last  prie- 
dicu  on  which  the  poor  ecclesiastic  knelt  was  the 
sawdust  before  the  block,  his  head  and  tongue  in  it, 
appearing  subsequently  in  the  "  higher  position." 


MEETING   OF  THE   CENTURIES.  5$ 

But  in  Rome  one  should  conform  to  Roman  cus- 
toms ;  and  when  the  General  found  that  a  party  of 
soldiers,  on  a  day's  furlough,  had  interfered  to  save 
the  life  of  an  old  man  who,  having  been  set  in  the 
stocks,  was  being  stoned  to  death  by  the  playful  mob, 
and  had  rescued  a  young  girl  with  a  babe  in  her 
arms  who  was  about  to  be  hung  as  a  witch,  he 
thought  it  expedient  to  establish  his  camp  at  a  suit- 
able spot  some  five  miles  below  the  city,  on  the  river, 
and  to  issue  strict  orders  forbidding  any  soldier  to 
go  into  any  city  or  village.  This  had  appeared  to 
him  the  more  prudent  thing  to  do,  as  the  King  had 
invited  him  to  an  audience,  and  explained  that,  upon 
any  repetition  of  such  interference  with  the  lawful 
and  commendable  habits  of  his  people  or  law  officers 
by  the  soldiery,  he  should  expect  the  offender  to  be 
delivered  up  to  his  hangman  to  be  boiled  in  oil. 
Hence  the  General  had  preferred  to  remove  his 
troops  from  a  neighborhood  where  they  would  be 
exposed  to  the  temptation  of  practising  philanthropy 
disapproved  by  their  entertainers.  The  camp  was 
pitched  on  a  high  bluff  near  the  place  where  the  ships 
lay  at  anchor,  there  being  no  building  near  save  a 
royal  castle  which  stood  on  a  crag  about  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  east  of  the  position. 

The  General,  finding  that  the  voyage  could  not  be 
soon  resumed,  bought  horses  enough  for  the  use  of 
the  cavalry  and  artillery,  which  his  quartermaster- 
general  bargained  for  on  condition  that  the  King's 
treasurer  would  take  them  off  his  hands,  by  the  time 


56  CENTURIES  APART. 

the  expedition  was  ready  to  put  to  sea  again,  at  a 
price  considerably  below  what  was  paid  for  them. 
This  was  necessary,  in  order  to  keep  the  troops 
in  good  drill  and  discipline,  and  General  Vaughn 
thought  it  prudent  for  other  reasons,  which  he  kept 
to  himself.  The  sequel  eventually  proved  the  wisdom 
of  his  course. 

It  is  greatly  to  be  regretted  that  the  pages  of 
Captain  Percy's  journal,  which  had  been  water-soaked, 
and  which,  up  to  this  point,  could  with  great  diffi- 
culty be  deciphered,  here  become  entirely  illegible, 
and  continue  so  for  a  considerable  space.  The  next 
succeeding  portion  of  it  which  can  be  read,  and 
indeed  the  whole  of  the  remainder,  relates  to  his  per- 
sonal adventures,  and  it  all  reads  like  a  romance.  It 
is  given  almost  entirely  in  his  own  language,  and  it 
will  be  observed  that  he  invariably  speaks  of  himself, 
his  impressions,  and  everything  concerning  his  expe- 
rience, as  if  he  were  writing  of  another  person. 


CHAPTER    III. 

A   JOURNEY   INTO    FAIR   NORTHUMBRIA. 

For  we  follow  the  Percy,  whose  proud  northern  land 

Ne'er  saw  the  fell  gleam  of  a  foeman's  bright  brand,  — 

Ne'er  felt  the  dread  weight  of  a  King's  vengeful  hand. 

In  our  sharp  swords  we  trust, 

And  our  lances  ne'er  rust, 

When  we  march  to  the  fray  from  fair  North-IIumber-Land. 

Old  Northumbrian  War  Song. 

The  Americans  had  been  in  camp  for  two  weeks, 
drilling  and  training,  and  exercising  their  new  horses, 
when,  late  one  afternoon,  Lord  Percy  rode  into  their 
lines,  followed  by  a  squire  and  a  score  or  so  of  well- 
appointed  and  well-mounted  men-at-arms  and  archers. 
He  stopped  at  Captain  Percy's  quarters  and  dis- 
mounted, entering  the  young  man's  tent  with  little 
ceremony. 

"  Good-morrow,  my  noble  kinsman,"  he  said,  as 
the  Captain  came  forward  ;  "  his  Royal  Highness  hath 
been  graciously  pleased  to  accord  me  the  boon  of 
absence  from  his  august  presence  for  a  month  and  a 
day.  I  pray  you  to  obtain  the  same  leave  from  your 
most  honorable  General,  that  you  may  ride  with  me 
to  visit  my  father,  the  Earl,  at  his  castle  of  Ravens- 
clyffe-on-the-Sea,  whence  he  hath  scarce  issued  these 


58  CENTURIES  APART. 

three  years,  having  a  grievous  malady  which  pre- 
venteth  his  stirring  much  abroad.  And  I  would 
counsel  your  taking  with  you  a  score  or  two  of  men- 
at-arms;  for,  together  with  my  train,  it  shall  surely 
hap  that  we  have  the  good  fortune  to  fall  in  with 
a  body  of  the  outlaws  which  infest  the  Great  Norman 
Way,  through  the  White  Forest  of  Humber,  where 
these  villains  swarm,  and  we  would  fain  flesh  our 
swords  rarely  on  their  carcasses.  And  when  we  are 
away  from  this  place  a  few  bowshots,  you  may  hear 
from  me  that  at  which  you  shall  wondrously  marvel. 
But  haste,  my  friend,  to  accomplish  this,  for  I  have 
already  prayed  Major  Bruce,  your  medical  director, 
to  be  of  the  part)-,  who  hath  joyously  agreed  to 
honor  us  with  his  company.  'Tis  meet  that  we  make 
ready  to  mount  and  ride,  for  we  should  start  betimes, 
lest  his  Highness  should  change  his  most  fickle  mind 
and  forbid  my  departure.     He  loves  me  not." 

Percy  was  delighted  at  the  prospect  of  a  trip  across 
the  country,  and  the  opportunity  of  visiting  the  feudal 
castle  of  one  of  the  great  barons  of  the  North  so 
renowned  as  the  Earl  of  Northumberland  was  held  to 
be.  He  easily  obtained  leave  for  the  time  proposed, 
as  it  was  clear  that  the  repairs  on  the  flagship  would 
consume  more  than  a  month.  A  troop  of  cavalry 
was  ordered  to  accompany  them,  and  by  sunset,  which 
was  then  about  nine  o'clock,  they  set  out.  The 
Americans  wondered  at  the  high  rate  of  speed  which 
their  friend  maintained,  for  at  least  ten  miles  ;  and 
even  late  into  the  night,  they  scarcely  drew  rein.    The 


A   JOURNEY  INTO   FAIR   NORTH UMBRIA.     59 

aurora  was  so  brilliant  that  it  was  like  travelling  by  a 
full  moon.  About  midnight  Lord  Percy  led  the  little 
column  off  the  highway,  and  by  a  forest  road  pro- 
ceeded more  slowly  and  quietly  for  about  three  miles. 
Suddenly  they  emerged  from  the  wood  and  found 
themselves  near  the  bank  of  a  river,  and  upon  high 
land.  At  the  summit  of  this  crest,  on  a  little  rocky 
promontory  stretching  out  into  the  stream,  was  a 
partially  ruined  tower.  Here  the  Baron  halted,  and 
informed  his  companions  that  it  would  be  the  best, 
place  in  which  to  spend  the  night.  He  called  his 
squire,  and  Percy  observed  that  he  gave  very  strict 
orders  about  the  watch  to  be  kept  up,  and  also  recom- 
mended to  his  friend  to  instruct  the  commanding 
officer  of  the  American  troop  to  maintain  careful 
guard.  The  whole  party  entered  the  courtyard,  and 
the  gate  of  the  castle  was  carefully  dragged  across 
the  entrance,  having  been  too  nearly  demolished  to 
be  regularly  closed.  The  drawbridge  could  not  be 
raised,  being  so  badly  broken,  and  the  portcullis  was 
shattered.  When  all  had  been  secured  as  strongly 
as  possible,  and  the  horses  of  the  party  picketed  in 
the  ruinous  stables,  fires  were  lighted  in  the  court- 
yard for  the  men.  The  officers  accompanied  the 
Baron  into  the  old  hall,  where  a  fire  was  burning,  and 
where  they  were  to  eat  before  sleeping.  The  meal 
finished,  Lord  Percy  led  his  friends  into  an  inner 
apartment,  dimly  lighted  by  torches,  where  some  rude 
couches  were  disposed. 

"  I  lament  much,  my  noble  guests,"  said  he,  "  that 


60  CENTURIES  APART. 

I  may  not  have  more  blythe  bovver  to  offer  you  for 
to-night ;  but  this  place  at  least  is  safe,  and  methinks 
nothing  will  break  our  slumbers  until  we  list." 

"  I  am  surprised  at  your  hint  as  to  safety,  and 
would  ask  its  meaning,"  replied  Captain  Percy. 

"  Prithee  wait,  and  bear  me  patience  until  the 
morrow,"  rejoined  the  Baron;  "and  when  the  wind 
blows  colder  betwixt  us  and  that  accursed  court,  I 
will  unfold  that  which  shall  be  esteemed  by  you  pass- 
ing strange." 

Percy  was  astonished  at  this,  but  at  the  moment 
his  Lordship's  squire,  Lumley,  entered  the  apartment, 
and  proceeded  to  unlace  the  armor  of  his  master. 
Soon  afterwards  the  three  gentlemen,  wrapped  in  their 
blankets,  lay  down  on  the  couches,  and  were  shortly, 
like  old  campaigners,  asleep.  But  their  slumbers  were 
of  short  duration.  A  half-hour  had  passed,  when  the 
Captain  was  aroused  by  a  rushing  and  scampering 
about  him,  and  springing  to  his  feet  he  saw  by  the 
bright  aurora  which  streamed  in  the  heavens  and  cast 
a  misty  glare  through  the  small  window,  an  army  of 
rats,  —  which  foul  creatures  squealed  and  fled  from 
his  movements.  Just  then  the  Baron  also  sprang  up, 
although  the  Doctor  slept  on. 

"  A  murrain  upon  the  accursed  vermin ! "  he 
growled.  "  They  are  plenty  as  outlaws  in  Humber 
Forest.  I  would  the  fiend  whose  enchanted  sons 
they  are  would  transport  them  all  to  the  palace  of 
the  King !  " 

"  With  all  my  heart,"  replied  the  Captain,  laughing, 


A   JOURNEY  INTO  FAIR  NORTHUMBRIA.      6 1 

"  so  they  did  n't  pine  for  country  air  and  seek  our 
camp.  But  what  is  that?"  A  horn  was  blown 
twice  outside  the  walls. 

"Surely,  what  may  it  be?"  muttered  the  Baron; 
and  seizing  his  sword,  he  strode  out  into  the  main 
hall.  He  was  met  by  several  men-at-arms,  bearing 
torches  and  escorting  a  stout,  short  man  of  dark 
complexion  and  fiery  eyes,  who  was  bespattered 
with  mud  from  head  to  foot,  and  who  staggered 
with   fatigue  as   he  approached. 

"How,  Eric!"  exclaimed  the  Baron,  in  surprise, 
and  then  added,  to  Percy,  who  had  followed  him  out, 
"  'T  is  Eric  Danbold,  seneschal  of  my  father's  castle 
of  Ravensclyffe." 

"  Yes,  my  Lord,  it  is  even  I,"  replied  the  man,  in 
an  exhausted  voice. 

"  But  what  make  you  here  now,  and  in  this  plight?  " 
asked  Lord  Reginald. 

"Alas,  my  Lord,"  said  the  man,  "I  bring  you 
heavy  tidings.  Your  cousin,  Lord  George  Dorset, 
was  seized  by  the  King's  guards  this  morning  at  his 
sister's  castle  of  Kent,  and  hurried  to  South  London, 
where  he  arrived  just  after  you  rode  out  of  the 
American  camp.  He  was  dragged  before  the  King. 
I  know  not  what  passed  there,  but  't  is  said  King 
Henry  swore  he  should  ne'er  see  sunset  more.  I 
saw  him  haled  to  Tower  Hill,  where  his  noble  head 
fell  in  less  than  an  hour  after  he  set  foot  in  the 
palace." 

"Oh,  accursed  tyrant!    Oh,  bloody  fiend!"  cried 


62  CENTURIES  APART. 

Lord  Reginald.  "  Oh,  George !  my  friend,  my 
brother-in-arms,  my  noble  kinsman !  Was  there 
no  voice  raised  for   him?" 

"  No  man  dared  breathe,  my  Lord.  Arrests  were 
made  of  Sir  Thomas  Mordaunt,  his  Lordship  of 
Essex,  Lord  Zylmorolah,  and  Master  Latimer  the 
Speaker  of  the  House.  All  were  hurried  to  the 
Tower,  closely  guarded.  They  were  in  search  of 
you,  too,  and  seized  all  your  servants,  beating  the 
town  for  you.  The  Prince  was  at  Windsor,  and 
Effingham,  your  steward,  told  them  that  you  were 
with  him,  in  attendance  upon  his  Highness.  That 
I  was  in  the  city  was  unknown,  else  had  I  been 
now  in  deep  dungeon." 

"And  when  came  you  to  the  city?"  asked  the 
Baron. 

"  I  had  but  arrived  after  you  rode  away,  yestreen, 
to  Windsor,  and  was  fain,  after  all  seen  and  heard, 
to  steal  to  your  stables,  saddle  Wild  Heron,  and 
escape  to  the  American  camp.  Finding  that  you 
had  been  there  and  had  gone  northward,  I  rode  for 
my  life  after  you.  Mine  host  of  the  Dragon  at  the 
village  of  Tarnsuallos,  back  a  league,  told  me  that 
you  lay  this  night  at  the  Wolf's  Lair,  and  so  here  am 
I.  But  ride,  my  Lord,  ride  !  'T  were  right  perilous 
to  return  to  the  Norman  Way.  Luckily,  I  know  all 
the  by-paths  through  forest  and  moor,  and  we  can 
reach  the  hills  before  pursuers  can  cross  the  Avon. 
But  pardon,  my  Lord,  I  am  fearfully  spent,"  and  the 
faithful  fellow  sank  down  as  he  spoke. 


A    JOURNEY  INTO  FAIR  NORTHUMBRIA.      63 

"  Here  !  Norval,  William  !  Unbelt  him  !  Bring 
cordials!  Rub  him  stoutly!  Lumley,  see  that 
Wild  Heron  has  best  of  care;  and  look  to  it  that 
my  retinue  be  ready  to  ride.  How  in  the  fiend's 
name,  Eric,  knew  the  host  of  the  Dragon  that  we 
lay  at  Wolf's   Lair?" 

"Alas!  I  know  not,  my  Lord,"  replied  the  man; 
"  but  set  forward,  my  young  master.  Care  not  for 
me.  I  can  yet  sit  a  horse  ;  and  if  not,  I  reck  not, 
since  T  save  you." 

"  How,  varlet !  Didst  e'er  know  a  Percy  to  desert 
a  friend  in  peril,  however  humble?" 

"  Never,  my  Lord.  'T  is  for  that  and  much  else 
that  your  vassals  ever  love  the  Percy." 

"  Then  rest  now  for  a  brief  space,  Eric,  and  as 
soon  as  may  be,  we  set  forward.  But  now,  by  my 
halidom,  here  are  my  friends  and  their  following. 
How  now,  gentlemen,  an  hour  since  and  ye  were 
the  guests  of  the  Prince's  Master  of  the  Horse, 
Reginald  Percy,  son  and  heir  of  the  Earl  of  North- 
umberland. Now  you  are  companions  of  a  pro- 
scribed man,  about  to  fly  for  his  life.  A  blythe 
measure  have  I  brought  you  to  dance!" 

The  Doctor,  who  had  joined  them,  and  was  looking 
out  of  a  window,  exclaimed,  — 

"  My  Lord,  there  is  a  column  of  cavalry  coming 
down  the  slope  of  that  road  on  the  further  river  bank. 
There  !  they  emerge  from  the  shadow  of  the  wood. 
There  must  be  two  hundred  of  them." 

"  Ay,   thou  'rt    right.      They  come    to    essay   the 


64  CENTURIES  APART. 

ford,  a  good  mile  above.  Nathless,  't  were  a  full 
hour  ere  they  may  labor  through  the  deep  and  rocky 
crossing  and  array  themselves  before  the  tower.  To 
horse,  gentlemen  !  You  can  go  back  by  the  road  we 
came,  until  you  reach  the  Norman  Way.  Then  turn 
east  and  ride  for  the  city  with  all  speed.  None  will 
dare  molest  the  guests  of  the  King;  and  if  they  did  I 
warrant  ye  would  give  good  account  of  yourselves. 
But  't  is  not  meet  ye  suffer  peril  through  our  feuds. 
Haste,  good  haste,  friends,  before  they  cross  the 
ford." 

But  the  young  American  smiled  haughtily.  "  Didst 
ever  know  a  Percy  to  desert  a  friend  in  peril?" 
he  asked,  quoting  the  Baron's  own  words.  "  And 
Dr.  Bruce  was  born  without  fear,  I  verily  believe,  from 
what  I  have  seen  of  him  in  danger.  We  started  to 
pay  our  respects  to  the  noble  Earl  your  father,  and 
are  men  not  easily  beaten  off  a  trail.  Doctor,  I  think 
we  will  ride  with  his  Lordship." 

"  I  propose  to,  myself,"  replied  the  Doctor,  dryly, 
"  and  should  be  very  loath  to  lose  your  companion- 
ship, Arthur." 

"  Well,  my  noble  friends,  if  such  be  your  will,  I 
shall  not  gainsay  it.  And,  sooth  to  tell,  I  love  your 
company.  So  to  horse  speedily,  and  we  set  out  to 
baffle  these  knaves." 

The  little  column  was  soon  on  the  march,  the 
Americans  in  front,  as  Lord  Percy  insisted  upon 
bringing  up  the  rear  with  his  men-at-arms,  swearing 
that  the  guests  should  not  be  nearest  the  foe. 


A    JOURNEY  IXTO  FAIR  NORTHUMBRIA.     65 

The  escort  was  composed  of  a  troop  of  Massa- 
chusetts cavalry,  some  forty  strong,  commanded  by 
Captain  Pelham,  a  youth  of  nineteen,  who  had  seen 
hard  service  in  Virginia,  having  been  severely 
wounded  at  Aldie.  His  lieutenants  were  fine  young 
men,  of  considerable  experience  in  the  war.  The 
non-commissioned  officers  and  men  were  all  veteran 
soldiers.  Their  regiment  was  armed  with  repeating 
carbines.  Percy  was  surprised,  as  they  moved  down 
the  flinty  road  leading  from  the  tower,  to  observe 
that  their  march  was  almost  noiseless,  and  upon 
inquiry  found  that  the  horses'  feet  had  been  wrapped 
in  wool,  and  the  sabres  were  strapped  to  the  saddles, 
under  the  girths,  in  a  manner  well  known  to  the 
cavalry  of  the  army,  the  custom  having  been  adopted 
in  the  woody  country  of  the  South,  where  there  was 
necessarily  much  fighting  on  foot. 

Upon  reaching  the  foot  of  the  hill,  they  turned 
west,  and  followed  a  rough  road  bordering  the  river. 
After  a  march  of  five  miles,  they  turned  sharply  off 
into  a  blind  forest  path,  where  they  could  move  only 
two  abreast.  The  seneschal  Danbold  acted  as  guide, 
and  having  led  them  into  the  dense  obscurity  of  the 
wood  for  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  he  brought  them 
out  into  an  open  glade  on  high  land,  having  a  morass 
on  either  side  and  a  very  steep  ascent  in  front.  Re- 
questing Captain  Pelham  to  halt  his  troop  at  the 
summit  of  this  hill,  he  rode  back  to  the  Baron. 

"  My  Lord,"  he  said,  "  you  know  me  a  good  woods- 
man, and  well  trained  to  note  all  sights  and  sounds 

5 


66  CENTURIES  APART. 

in  the  forest.  I  have  heard,  for  a  mile  back,  the 
trampling  of  a  steed,  ever  drawing  nearer.  I  am  fain 
to  believe  it  to  be  no  other  than  little  Robert  Lester, 
the  Earl's  page,  who  was  sent  with  me  a  sennight 
since,  by  his  Lordship,  to  bear  a  message  to  you,  had 
you  returned  from  your  voyage.  Ere  I  left  the  city 
1  bid  Lester,  who  is  unknown  there,  to  watch  for  the 
departure  of  any  party  sent  after  you,  and  to  ascer- 
tain the  direction  of  their  march;  then,  by  cross 
roads,  to  get  in  front  of  them  and  overtake  you  as 
soon  as  might  be.  He  knows  the  forest  ways  well, 
having  been  with  me  in  wood  and  moor  many  a  day; 
and  now,  by  your  leave,  I  will  ride  back  to  the  high 
road,  and  in  safe  cover  will  await  the  coming  of  this 
rider,  who  I  believe  may  be  he." 

"  You  say  well,"  replied  the  Baron,  "  but  you  go 
not  alone ;    I  will  bear  company." 

"  And  so  will  I,"  said  Captain  Percy,  who  had 
joined  them. 

They  accordingly  returned  to  the  road,  concealing 
themselves  among  the  thick  growth  of  evergreens,  to 
await  the  coming  rider,  who  had  checked  his  horse 
and  was  approaching  at  a  walk.  As  he  neared  their 
position  he  pulled  up  altogether. 

"  Now  a  murrain  on  this  unhallowed  wood !  "  he 
muttered.  "  The  trees  are  so  grown  that  a  fox  could 
find  no  way." 

"  Robert,"  called  the  seneschal. 

"  Holy  Saint  Agnes  assoilzie  me !  "  shrieked  the 
boy,  crossing  himself;    "  't  is  the  river  Nixie  !  "     And 


A    JOURNEY  I  A' TO  FAIR   NORTH  UMBRIA.      67 

he  gathered  his  horse  for  flight.  The  Baron  dashed 
out  upon  him. 

"  Cease  thy  brawling,  brat,"  said  he,  "  and  tell 
what  tidings  ye  bring !  " 

"  Blessed  be  Saint  Agnes  of  the  Spring,  if  't  is  in 
sooth  thou,  my  Lord,"  cried  the  boy.  "  I  come  direct 
from  the  Wolf's  Lair,  where  the  Sheriff  of  Kent,  with 
Sir  James  de  Wyvil  and  tenscore  of  the  King's 
archers  are  searching  for  you.  I  had  followed  them 
from  the  city,  but  they  turned  aside  to  Effingham 
and  I  kept  the  Norman  Way.  They  forded  the  river 
at  St.  Joseph's  Well,  and  I  had  spurred  around  them 
so  as  to  reach  the  tower  first.  I  hid  my  horse  in  the 
wood  and  crept  up  under  the  drawbridge.  When 
they  came  they  found  fires  in  the  courtyard,  but  the 
birds  flown.  I  was  blythe  to  hear  Sir  James  say  to 
the  sheriff  that  there  was  no  hope  of  catching  you 
now,  unless  they  might  come  up  with  you  ere  reach- 
ing the  White  Forest  of  H umber,  beyond  which  their 
array  was  not  strong  enow  to  pursue,  as  they  were 
like  to  meet  the  forest  bands." 

Even  as  they  spoke  there  was  borne  on  the  night 
wind  the  clash  and  rattle  of  a  body  of  horsemen 
approaching  at  high  speed.  They  withdrew  into  the 
shadows  of  the  forest,  and  within  five  minutes  there 
came  riding  by  at  a  gallop  a  force  which  might  have 
been  estimated  at  two  hundred  men-at-arms.  The 
aurora  shone  on  the  nodding  plumes  of  two  knights 
at  their  head,  and  flashed  on  the  armor  of  the  whole 
party.     Many  of  the  horses  were  "  blowing  "  painfull}', 


68  CENTURIES  APART. 

and  there  was  great  irregularity  in  their  march,  a 
number  of  riders  straggling  behind  the  column. 
Everything  indicated  fatigue  and  distress  on  the  part 
of  the  horses,  and  in  fact  they  soon  came  to  a  halt  on 
the  brow  of  an  eminence  not  far  away,  to  restore 
order  in  their  ranks;  after  which  they  moved  on  more 
slowly  in  the  same  direction. 

"  Now  Heaven  be  praised  !  "  muttered  the  seneschal. 
"  They  are  well  on  their  way  to  Darbos,  whither  they 
believe  your  Lordship  to  have  gone.  It  is  a  good 
score  of  miles  through  the  forest,  with  ne'er  a  peas- 
ant's hut  within  two  leagues  of  this  spot.  We  may 
march  at  our  ease,  after  a  brace  of  hours'  good  rest, 
and  put  thirty  fair  miles  betwixt  their  wearied  steeds 
and  ours  before  noon  to-morrow.  Nay,  an 't  please 
your  Lordship,  we  can  cross  the  mountain  and  draw 
rein  for  food  and  rest  by  the  lake  beyond  the  pass. 
I  know  every  rood  of  the  forest  path." 

"  Let  it  be  so,  good  Eric,"  replied  the  Baron.  "  I 
were  fain  we  be  fresh  ere  we  enter  the  White  Forest 
of  Humber.  We  are  like  to  meet  warm  welcome 
from  the  varlet  outlaws  there." 

"  I  have  reason  to  think  that  scarce  likely,  my 
Lord,"  replied  the  man,  "  but  I  will  haste  to  guide  the 
Americans  to  the  other  side  of  the  glade." 

"  That  seems  a  faithful  and  worthy  fellow,"  remarked 
Captain  Percy. 

"  None  live  that  be  more  so,"  replied  Lord  Regi- 
nald. "  Such  as  he  is,  hath  he  been,  boy  and  man, 
for  thirty  years,  to  the  Percy." 


A    JOURNEY  IXTO  FAIR  NORTHUMBRIA.     69 

After  crossing  the  glade,  the  blind  forest  path 
began  to  tend  upward,  and  from  the  increased  sharp- 
ness of  the  air  Captain  Percy  would  have  known 
that  they  were  ascending  a  height,  although  the 
ascent  seemed  gradual.  Suddenly  they  emerged 
from  the  wood  and  found  themselves  on  a  plateau, 
by  the  side  of  a  little  lake,  which  mirrored  exquisitely 
the  flashing  aurora.  This  wonderful  light  increased 
to  almost  a  glare  of  dancing  waves  and  streamers, 
rapidly  chasing  each  other  northward,  and  playing 
fitfully  about  the  head  of  a  majestic  mountain  peak 
in  front  and  to  the  north,  set  in  midnight  gloom 
against  the  electric  brilliancy  of  the  sky,  save  where 
masses  of  snow  near  its  summit  reflected  the  shining 
aurora.  The  light  had  been  white  up  to  this  time, 
but  now  there  began  to  shoot  up  from  the  southern 
horizon  to  the  zenith  streaks  of  pink  and  apple 
green.  These  grew  more  and  more  intense  in  color, 
until  at  length  they  merged  into  a  blood-red  line  of 
shooting  lances  of  light.  Gradually  these  spread 
into  broad  sheets  of  brilliancy,  until  they  blended 
together,  and  the  final  result  was  an  entire  sky  of 
red  flame,  from  horizon  to  zenith,  on  every  side. 

The  American  column  instinctively  halted  in  silent 
awe.  Not  a  word  was  spoken  for  some  time.  Then 
exclamations  of  wonder  and  excited  admiration  broke 
from  all. 

"  My  Lord,"  cried  Percy,  "  is  this  superb  scene  a  fa- 
miliar one  to  you,  or  is  it  as  wonderful  as  it  is  to  us?  " 

"  'T  is    gorgeous,    by    my   faith,"  replied   his  com- 


JO  CENTURIES  APART. 

panion,  "  and  right  glad  am  I  that  it  cometh  at  this 
hour  to  greet  you  thus ;  but  't  is  not  rare  to  see  such 
at  yule-tide  season,  although  'tis  not  common  in 
springtime.  But,  kinsman,  have  you  not  the  'Aurora 
of  Night '  in  your  land?  " 

"  We  call  it  '  Northern  Lights,'  "  replied  Percy. 
"  I  have  seen  it  very  beautiful,  but  never  approaching 
such  as  this." 

"  I  have  seen  it  once  or  twice  in  Sweden  like  this," 
remarked  the  Doctor. 

The  aurora  continued  while  they  were  winding 
through  the  narrow  pass,  which  was  enclosed  by 
rocky  walls  of  imposing  perpendicular  height.  As 
they  emerged,  the  dawn  was  reddening  the  east,  and 
the  "  Aurora  of  Night  "  faded. 

At  daybreak  they  bivouacked  by  the  side  of  a 
lake,  high  upon  the  northern  slope  of  the  mountain. 
The  place  was  a  little  meadow,  where  there  was 
abundant  forage  for  the  horses.  The  scenery  was 
extremely  grand,  and  the  locality  itself  a  beautiful 
opening  in  the  forest.  After  caring  for  the  animals, 
and  eating  breakfast,  the  tired  riders  wrapped  them- 
selves in  blankets  and  slept  for  two  hours.  Awaken- 
ing refreshed,  they  resumed  the  march  down  the 
mountain,  and  reached  a  moor  at  its  foot  an  hour 
before  noon.  A  wood  bordered  this  plain  at  its 
northern  extremity,  at  a  distance  of  about  five  miles, 
and  the  Baron  remarked,  "  Yonder  lies  the  White 
Forest  of  Humber,  through  which  we  pass,  and  sure 
am  I  we  meet  there  the  outlaws." 


A    JOURNEY  INTO   FAIR  NORTHUMBRIA.     J I 

Just  before  reaching  the  forest,  which  the  Doctor 
perceived  derived  its  distinctive  name  from  the  fact 
of  its  being  made  up  entirely  of  a  species  of  very 
large  and  tall  white  birch,  it  was  necessary  to  pass 
through  a  wild  and  rocky  glen,  having  precipitous 
sides,  apparently  impassable  to  man  or  beast.  Sud- 
denly the  head  of  the  column  came  to  a  halt,  and 
Lord  Reginald  and  Percy  rode  forward  to  learn  the 
meaning  of  this  delay,  the  Doctor  meanwhile  dis- 
mounting to  examine  the  geological  character  of  the 
rocks.  They  found  the  seneschal,  Eric  Danbold,  a 
few  yards  in  front  of  the  advance  guard,  in  conversa- 
tion with  a  man  who  will  need  particular  description. 

He  was  short,  very  stout  and  muscular,  with  ex- 
tremely long,  powerful  arms.  His  hair  and  beard 
were  reddish,  his  eyes  gray,  his  complexion  light. 
His  face  had  an  expression  of  mingled  boldness  and 
cunning,  and  the  restless  eye  wandered  everywhere 
with  quick  sharp  glances,  especially  penetrating  when 
he  looked  at  the  arms  of  the  Americans.  He  wore 
upon  his  head  a  fur  bonnet,  with  a  plume  of  hawk's 
feathers ;  and  his  body  garment  was  a  woollen  jacket 
having  short  skirts  reaching  half-way  to  the  knees, 
which  were  bare  like  those  of  a  Scotch  Highlander. 
His  feet  were  covered  by  a  sort  of  skin  or  fur  shoe, 
with  strips  of  the  same  material  wound  about  the 
legs  to  the  knees.  A  kind  of  blanket  or  cloak  was 
rolled,  like  the  blankets  of  our  infantry  in  "  light 
marching  order,"  —  that  is,  across  the  shoulder  in  a 
roll,  and  tied   together   at  the   ends  at  the  opposite 


72  CENTURIES  APART. 

hip.  A  fur  bag,  or  haversack,  was  thrown  over  the 
other  shoulder,  at  which  was  likewise  slung  a  long 
bow  and  quiver.  He  carried  in  his  hand  a  slender 
but  heavy  partisan,  or  axe,  which  from  time  to  time 
he  flourished,  until  the  air  whistled  about  him.  This 
was  apparently  done  unconsciously.  The  language 
of  this  person  was  intelligible  only  to  Lord  Reginald 
and  Eric  Danbold.  Percy,  however,  detected  some 
English  words. 

After  some  minutes'  conversation  the  stranger, 
turning  about  with  no  ceremony,  strode  toward  the 
further  entrance  to  the  glen,  near  the  forest. 

"  Now  by  my  faith,  kinsman  !  "  ejaculated  the 
Baron,  "  rarely  ere  this  have  I  met  a  mountaineer 
except  point  to  point.  Yon  man  is  a  henchman 
of  his  chief,  the  celebrated  Ruval  Ben-Ardlac,  the 
Robin  Hood  of  these  days.  And  the  White  Forest 
of  Humber  is  this  Hood's  Sherwood  Forest.  This 
henchman  is  sent  to  beg  a  friendly  meeting  betwixt 
the  Percy  and  Ben-Ardlac,  who  have  hitherto  met 
only  in  battle.  Amazed  am  I,  and  naught  can  I 
bethink  me  of  what  it  portendeth." 

His  words  were  interrupted  by  the  long  and  shrill 
blast  of  a  horn,  and  from  out  the  greenwood  there 
advanced  a  singular  group.  At  the  head  was  a  man 
of  gigantic  stature,  with  a  broad,  full,  and  handsome 
face  of  fair  complexion,  blue  eyes,  and  sandy  hair 
and  beard.  He  was  clad  and  armed  much  like  the 
tribesman  whose  appearance  has  been  described,  but 
his    coat   or  jacket  was   of  a   green  color,  lined  and 


A    JOURNEY  INTO  FAIR  NORTHUMBRIA.    73 

bordered  by  fur  of  the  sea-otter.  He  wore  a  heavy, 
rudely  made  gold  chain  about  his  neck,  from  which 
depended  a  horn  and  a  silver  whistle.  His  bonnet 
was  decorated  with  eagle's  feathers.  Upon  his  thigh 
was  a  long  heavy  sword. 

The  six  men  with  him  were  evidently  his  tribes- 
men, and  closely  resembled  the  henchman  who  had 
first  appeared,  in  dress  and  arms. 

The  expression  of  the  chief  was  frank,  and  even 
jocular.  His  attendants  stopped  at  ten  yards'  dis- 
tance, and  he  advanced  alone,  taking  off  his  bonnet 
and  bowing  gracefully  as  he  approached ;  which 
courtesy  was  duly  returned,  both  gentlemen  dis- 
mounting and  stepping  forward  to   meet  him. 

"  I  deem  it  great  honor,"  said  he,  in  good  English, 
"  to  meet  in  peace  and  good-will  the  noble  Lord 
Percy,  whose  martial  form  I  have  so  often  seen  in 
battle  when  opposed  to  me."  The  American  was 
astonished  to  hear  him  continue,  "  And  I  hail  in  like 
honor  his  friend,  the  gallant  gentleman  from  beyond 
the  great  waters.  You  will  pass  in  quiet  and  safety 
through  our  forest  lands,  not  only  unmolested,  but  with 
a  thousand  swords  of  my  people  drawn  to  cover  your 
rear  from  your  pursuers,  my  Lord.  The  tyrant  who 
hath  shed,  unprovoked,  the  blood  of  your  kinsman, 
is  our  lifelong  foe.  He  seeks  your  own  head;  but 
we  of  the  northern  mountains  and  forests,  who  have 
fought  the  Percies  of  Northumberland  for  genera- 
tions, will  now  sway  sword  and  draw  bow  by  your 
side.     Our  foe  is  common  to  us  both,  and  the  time 


74  CENTURIES  APART. 

has  come   for  the  tribesmen   of  forest  and  mountain 
to  make  lasting  peace  with  the  Percy." 

The  American  was  yet  more  astonished  at  Lord 
Reginald's  reply.  "  My  Lord  Dacre,"  he  said  to  the 
stranger,  "  I  take  your  hand  with  honor  to  myself  in 
the  act,  since  it  is  the  hand  of  a  gallant  gentleman 
and  noble  lord,  although  he  be  driven  from  his 
castles  and  estate,  and  left  now  but  chieftain  of  a 
mountain  clan.  And  this  I  will  say  and  maintain 
against  any  who  dare  say  nay,  on  foot  or  on  horseback, 
with  lance,  sword,  or  battle-axe,  although  ye  are  a  rebel 
these  many  years,  and  I,  with  my  father  the  Earl 
and  all  our  family  and  vassals,  are  yet  loyal  in  our 
fealty  to  his  Majesty  the  King  Henry  the  Ninth. 
Nathless  I  know  not,  that  being  so,  why  the  King 
hath  struck  off  my  kinsman's  head,  nor  why  I,  with 
free  leave  from  his  Royal  Highness  to  visit  my 
father's  castle,  taking  my  guests  from  over  seas 
with  me,  should  be  hunted  like  a  wolf  by  the  High 
Sheriff  of  Kent,  with  great  following,  and  forced  to 
fly  with  my  friends  over  mountains  and  through 
forests.     Verily,  't  is  sorry  news  to  bear  to  the  Earl." 

"And  hast  not  heard,  then,"  rejoined  the  chieftain, 
eagerly  and  with  surprise,  "  that  the  lords  of  the 
West,  making  common  cause  with  the  mountain  clans 
of  the  Ormondes  and  Ben-Aldolays,  have  taken  the 
King's  castle  of  Carnarvon,  and  defeated  the  Earl  of 
Anglesea  in  a  pitched  battle,  in  which  the  Earl  him- 
self, and  nearly  all  his  knights,  have  fallen,  and  that 
the  King  himself  in  his  rage,  being  informed  (whether 


A    JOURNEY  INTO  FAIR  NORTHUMBRIA.     7$ 

truly  or  no,  I  know  not,  —  't  is  for  you,  my  Lord,  to 
know  that),  that  the  noble  Earl  of  Northumberland 
was  hand  in  glove  with  the  rebels,  hath  sworn  to 
harry  with  fire  and  steel  all  the  country  north  of  the 
Humber,  and  to  root  out  our  mountain  and  forest 
tribes,  if  it  takes  a  war  long  as  his  span  of  life?  But 
I  see  by  your  look  of  wonder,  my  Lord,  that  these 
tidings  are  indeed  news  to  you.  Ah,  believe  me, 
't  was  not  for  naught  you  were  kept  at  Windsor,  and 
then  allowed  to  go  North  with  a  light  following. 
'T  was  meant  you  should  ne'er  reach  the  Wolf's  Lair, 
my  Lord, — you  start!  Believe  me,  I  know  from 
day  to  day  what  passes  at  the  court.  I  have  willing 
eyes  and  ears  there.  The  patience  of  more  than  one 
great  noble  is  spent  by  the  growing  tyranny,  and  — 
but  I  say  too  much ;  and  I  keep  you,  while  you 
should  be  hasting  to  Northumbria.  Farewell,  then, 
Lord  Percy,  and  know  that  your  rear  is  secure.  I 
fain  hope  that  we  may  soon  stand  side  by  side  in 
battle  against  Henry  Plantagenet." 

With  a  courteous  wave  of  the  hand  the  chieftain 
stepped  behind  a  rock,  and,  although  Lord  Reginald 
started  forward  to  call  him  back  for  more  words,  both 
he  and  his  attendants  had  vanished  in  the  singular 
labyrinth  of  immense  bowlders  and  gorges  which 
covered  and  scarred  the  steep  ascent  at  the  sides  of 
the  glen. 

"  Now,  by  my  halidom,  but  that  is  news  indeed," 
muttered   the  Baron. 

"  Who  is  that  strange  man?"  asked  Percy. 


76  CENTURIES  APART. 

"  You  may  well  ask,"  rejoined  his  companion. 
"  He  was  erst  the  noble  Lord  Dacre  of  Tisdale.  His 
father,  the  Earl  of  Monashorah,  was  beheaded  a  score 
of  years  gone,  for  joining  in  a  rising  in  the  West,  and 
his  sister,  the  Countess  of  Salisbury,  died  in  a  dun- 
geon in  Strothsay  Isle,  for  harboring  her  cousin, 
Sir  George  Chester,  who  was  flying  from  the  King's 
vengeance.  The  Earl's  estates  were  all  forfeited  to 
the  Crown,  and  his  family  driven  into  exile.  The 
Earl  was  hereditary  chief  of  the  Ben-Ardlac  tribe  of 
mountaineers,  and  his  son,  this  Lord  Dacre,  fled  with 
his  mother  and  surviving  sister  to  the  fastnesses  of 
the  hills,  where  the  King's  troops  never  could  follow 
them.  The  clan  has  never  since  ceased  to  war  upon 
the  low  country,  and  I  have  often,  as  did  my  father 
before  me,  met  them  in  battle  with  varying  fortune. 
That  such  a  man  should  be  driven  to  such  a  fate ! 
But  I  fear  me  his  tale  is  too  true.  Alas,  if  my  father 
hath  been  o'er  hasty  in  espousing  the  cause  of  these 
barons  of  the  West,  who  are  in  revolt,  I  much  dread 
the  issue ;  for  we  are  but  ill-prepared,  and  the  plot 
must  have  been  prematurely  unveiled. 

"  Yet  it  will  take  the  King  some  weeks  to  mus- 
ter his  whole  array;  but  Sussex  is  a  good  soldier 
and  hath  had  great  conduct  in  the  wars,  —  the  storm 
may  yet  be  averted.  The  mountain  clans  are  eter- 
nally at  strife  between  themselves ;  but  if  great 
chiefs  like  Angus  and  Murray  will  strike  hands,  and 
unite  the  tribes,  they  can  muster  a  formidable  array. 
Joining    them    with    Northumberland    and   the    dis- 


A    JOURNEY  INTO   FAIR  NORTH  CM  BRI  A.      yy 

affected  earls, —  Warren,  Stanley,  Leicester,  and  the 
rest,  —  we  can,  belike,  force  terms  from  the  King. 
Would  that  I  had  not  missed  messages  which  my 
father  most  assuredly  hath  sent  me  !  They  may  have 
fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  King." 

The  Baron  was  speaking  rather  to  himself  than  to 
Percy.  The  latter,  wondering  at  the  strange  analo- 
gies in  names  and  circumstances  which  presented 
themselves,  remarked,  — 

"  But  you  speak  of  Angus  and  Murray.  Surely 
these  are  Scottish  names?" 

"  You  say  truly,"  replied  the  Baron.  "  Several 
younger  sons  of  Scotch  families  joined  our  ancestors 
in  the  great  migration.  Among  them  were  a  Doug- 
las, son  of  the  Earl  of  Angus  in  Scotland;  a  Murray. 
Bothwells,  Randolphs,  Seatons,  and  the  like.  In 
fact,  a  ship  was  well  filled  with  them  and  their  de- 
pendents. Many  were  in  the  service  of  Louis  the 
Eleventh,  as  you  must  already  know,  in  France,  and 
of  his  successor.  They  were  granted  fiefs  in  South 
England,  far  off  in  the  North,  and  their  mountain 
districts  have  kept  them  as  truly  Scotch  as  they  ever 
were  in  old  Scotland.  They  are  as  turbulent,  too, 
as  their  ancestors ;  and  't  is  well  for  the  peace  of  the 
kingdom  that  they  are  in  so  remote  part  of  the  land. 
They  have,  moreover,  been  ever  friendly  with  us  of 
Northumberland  and  Westmoreland,  which  was  not 
to  have  been  said  in  old  England,  as  you  be 
aware." 

By   this  time  the  Doctor  rejoined  them.     "  I  say, 


78  CENTURIES  APART. 

Arthur,"  he  cried,  "  I  've  never  seen  such  remarkable 
geological  phenomena  as  that  gorge  presents  !  Gra- 
nitic and  lava  rocks  mixed  and  contorted  in  every 
possible  way  !  And  these  immense  bowlders,  brought 
from  Heaven  knows  where  (by  ice,  I  say,  of 
course,  no  other  agency  could  have  done  it),  and 
dropped  in  this  spot, — why,  it 's  wonderful  beyond 
expression  !  I  hope  there  '11  be  more  of  this  where 
we  are  going.  Oh,  if  I  only  had  leisure  and  a  stone 
hammer !  " 

And  the  Doctor  gazed  back  ruefully,  if  enthusiasti- 
cally, at  the  rocks  they  had  left  behind  them.  The 
Baron  looked  at  him  in  puzzled    amazement. 

"  Oh,  geology  's  all  right,"  replied  Percy,  laughing, 
"  but  you  should  have  been  with  us  !  I  Ve  been  in- 
vestigating the  native  mountaineer  in  his  own  habitat. 
'  The  proper  study  of  mankind  is  man,'  you  know, 
Doctor  dear." 

"  Oh,  hang  your  psychology,  if  that's  what  you 
mean  !  I  get  enough  of  physiological  man.  '  'T  is 
my  vocation,  Hal.'  But  if  I  only  had  hammer, 
leisure,  and  a  note-book,  I  'd  have  facts  to  stir  up 
Cambridge  and  Boston  with  when  I  get  back  (if  ever 
I  do),  which  would  addle  some  of  their  theorizing 
brains,  I  warrant  you." 

"  You  'd  better  take  up  conchology,  Doctor,  for 
you  may  run  against  some  new  shell  in  Mexico,  if  we 
ever  get  there,"  rejoined  the  Captain. 

They  were  now  passing  through  a  most  picturesque 
region.     The  forest  was  composed  entirely  of  white 


A    JOURNEY  INTO   FAIR   NORTHUMBRIA.      79 

birch,  very  like  our  canoe  birch  ("  Betula  papyracca, 
I  declare,"  muttered  the  Doctor,  as  he  looked  about 
him),  the  trees  being  of  great  age,  the  trunks 
measuring  from  two  to  three  feet  in  diameter,  some 
even  attaining  four  feet.  The  undergrowth  was  at 
times,  and  in  damp  places,  extremely  thick  and 
impenetrable,  and  was  made  up  of  species  unknown 
to  the  Doctor  and  Percy,  although  many  resembled 
some  North  American  shrubs.  The  ferns  were,  in 
some  cases,  apparently  identical  with  ours.  The 
vegetation  was  well  advanced,  and  a  few  flowers  were 
observable  in  sheltered  sunny  spots,  in  open  glades. 
They  were  evidently  of  the  hardiest  kinds,  as  the 
nightly  frosts  would  have  forbidden  the  development 
of  anything  delicate.  Percy  noticed  violets  of  several 
species,  and  alders  and  willows  waved  graceful  catkins 
in  the  breeze.  The  road  crossed,  or  at  times  wound 
through,  wild  and  dark  chasms  and  ravines,  where 
the  rocky  strata,  rudely  heaped  and  piled  about  in 
broken  masses,  showed  the  work  of  the  earthquake. 
Their  structure  was  mostly  granite,  with  very  wide 
dikes  of  trap  occurring  now  and  then.  The  Doctor 
had  observed  in  the  open  country  strong  indications 
of  the  former  presence  of  the  glacier;  but  on  the 
bared  surfaces  of  the  ground-down  rocks  in  this  hilly 
district,  the  glacial  scratches  or  scorings  were  very 
distinct,  running  southwest  and  northeast. 

The  little  streams  and  lakes  were  filled  with  water- 
fowl, and  in  the  open  glades  ptarmigan  abounded  ; 
while   many   other   birds,  large  and  small,  were   not 


80  CENTURIES  APART. 

scarce.  Crows,  hawks,  and  eagles  were  frequently 
seen,  as  well  as  herons  and  a  species  of  wild  swan. 

The  party  camped  that  night  by  a  small  stream, 
and  on  high  ground,  well  sheltered.  The  aurora  was 
brilliant,  and  the  night  clear.  The  march  was  re- 
sumed at  an  early  hour  and  kept  up  steadily  all  day, 
through  the  gloomy  depths  of  this  immense  forest. 
A  few  deer  were  seen,  two  being  shot  for  venison, 
and  several  foxes  and  one  large  gray  wolf  fled  from 
their  track.  A  brownish  black  bear  was  surprised 
near  a  spring,  but  scuttled  away  into  the  wood  upon 
their  approach.  Not  a  human  being  approached 
them,  although  two  or  three  mountaineers  were 
observed  watching  them  from  a  high  cliff,  evidently 
greatly  interested  in  the  appearance  of  the  Americans. 
They  courteously  raised  and  waved  their  bonnets  as 
the  column  passed,  and  were  plainly  gratified  at  the 
return  of  their  salute.  Everything  on  their  part 
denoted  friendliness.  Toward  evening  they  reached 
lower  land,  and  the  forest  was  diversified  by  oak  and 
beech  growth,  although  still  principally  birch.  At 
last  they  came  to  a  broad,  quiet,  deep  river. 

"  This  is  the  Humber,  my  Lord,"  remarked  the 
seneschal.  "  Now  after  another  day's  march  we  be  in 
Northumberland." 

They  were  obliged  to  turn  to  the  left  and  proceed 
along  its  southerly  bank  for  several  miles,  at  last 
reaching  a  ford  which  was  well  known  to  Eric  Danbold. 
This  they  easily  made  their  way  across,  finding  them- 
selves  then   in   a  much   more  open  country  indeed, 


A    JOURNEY  INTO  FAIR  NORTHUMBRIA.      8 1 

showing  here  and  there  marks  of  former  cultivation. 
Just  at  sunset  they  reached  a  range  of  hills  bordering 
a  northerly  bend  of  the  Humber,  and  upon  the  high- 
est of  these  was  perched  a  castle,  having  the  inevi- 
table squalid  village  under  its  walls.  This  was  the 
hold  of  a  certain  William  Fitz-Allan,  who,  being  a 
friend  of  Lord  Percy,  received  them  joyously  and 
lodged  the  whole  party  most  hospitably.  Like 
every  one  else  in  this  country,  he  was  overcome 
by  wonder  at  the  appearance  and  equipment  of  the 
Americans. 

The  next  morning,  after  thanks  and  farewell  to  their 
kind  host,  they  resumed  the  march,  the  road  crossing 
the  Humber  by  a  ford  again,  at  one  of  its  windings. 
The  country  grew  more  and  more  inhabited,  small 
towns  and  one  or  two  castles  being  passed  at  some 
distance,  and  at  nightfall  they  reached  a  point  on  the 
river  where  a  small  stream  emptied  into  it.  Here  was 
a  ferry,  composed  of  a  flat-bottomed  boat  capable  of 
carrying  half  a  dozen  men  and  two  horses  at  a  trip. 
The  aged  ferryman  would  necessarily  have  consumed 
the  entire  night  in  transporting  the  detachment  across, 
had  he  undertaken  it  alone.  But  the  Americans  took 
charge  of  the  scow,  and  tying  together  their  lariat 
ropes,  stretched  the  line  thus  formed  across  the  river, 
and  loading  the  boat  with  men,  they  made  the  horses 
swim.  By  this  means  they  ferried  the  whole  party 
across  in  about  two  hours,  much  to  the  delight  of 
Lord  Reginald  and  his  South  English,  who  seemed  to 
think  the  simple  expedient  a  wonderful  thing. 

6 


82  CENTURIES  APART. 

"  I  see  now,"  remarked  the  Baron,  "  an  example, 
verily,  of  the  quick  wit  of  Yankees." 

Dr.  Bruce,  who  was  near  him,  stared.  "  How  came 
you  by  that  word,  my  Lord?  "  asked  he. 

"  What  may  that  be?  '  Yankees?'  Peradventure, 
my  learned  friend,"  continued  Lord  Reginald,  laugh- 
ing, "'there  are  more  things  in  heaven  and  earth, 
Horatio,  than  are  dreamt  of  in  our  philosophy.'  " 

The  Doctor  and  Percy,  who  had  come  up,  were 
astounded,  and  gazed  without  speaking  at  their  friend, 
who  still  laughed. 

"  I  cry  you  pardon  !  "  he  at  length  said.  "  But  let  us 
lie  for  the  night  in  yonder  wood,  well  sheltered  from 
the  wind,  and  thus  be  rested  and  prepared  for  a  start 
by  daybreak.  We  must  essay  to  reach  my  father's 
castle  of  Ravensclyffe  by  dawn  the  day  after 
to-morrow,  if  a  night  march  will  not  too  sorely  weary 
you,  gentlemen.  For,"  he  added,  glancing  again  at 
the  Doctor,  "  if  the  Percy  is  to  make  head  against  the 
power  of  any  who  may  come  against  us,  preparation 
must  be  set  on  foot  as  early  as  may  be.  For  '  there 
is  a  tide  in  the  affairs  of  men,  which,  taken  at  its  flood, 
leads  on  to  fortune.'  " 

"  Truly,  I  do  not  understand  this,"  cried  the 
mystified  Captain.  "  How  came  you  to  know 
Shakespeare?" 

"  Ah  !  '  thereby  hangs  a  tale,'  "  replied  the  Baron. 
"But  when  we  have  eaten,  and  are  couched  before 
a  fire,  and  thou  hast  lighted  that  wondrous  roll 
of  dried  herbs  yclept  '  the  weed,'  '  I  will  a  tale  un- 


A    JOURNEY  INTO  FAIR  NORTHUMBRIA.     83 

fold '  at  which,  although  't  will  not  '  harrow  up  thy 
soul,'  you  shall  marvel  roundly." 

At  the  time  appointed  Lord  Reginald  proceeded 
to  relate  the  following  remarkable  story  to  the  Captain 
alone,  Dr.  Bruce  having  fallen  asleep  before  half  of 
his  cigar  was  ashes. 


CHAPTER      IV. 

A   REMARKABLE  STORY. 

In  faith  't  was  strange,  't  was  passing  strange. 

Othello. 

"  PERADVENTURE  you  know  not,  kinsman,  that  Percy 
of  Northumberland  liveth  in  and  ruleth  his  great 
earldom  almost  as  an  independent  prince,  owning 
fealty,  nathless,  to  the  King.  But,  separated  from  the 
southern  and  central  portions  of  the  island  by  the 
great  mountain  chain  and  by  the  White  Forest,  and 
in  close  alliance  and  centuries-long  friendship  with 
the  powerful  Marquis  of  Westmoreland,  whose  moun- 
tain territories  lie  adjacent  to  Northumberland  on 
the  west,  it  is  not  matter  of  wonder  that  the  loyalty 
of  these  great  crown  vassals,  as  well  as  that  of  their 
northern  neighbors  and  sometime  allies,  —  Douglas, 
Murray,  and  others,  —  should  sit  lightly  upon  them. 
Risings  have  taken  place,  with,  more  than  once, 
grievous  happenings  in  their  train.  For,  although 
Northumbria  hath  ne'er  been  overrun  when  the 
Percies  were  out  against  the  King,  yet,  several  times, 
the  power  of  the  realm  hath  been  brought  against 
us,  and  more  than  one  of  our  race  hath  died  upon 
the    block.     My   great   grandsire    lost   his    head    on 


A   REMARKABLE  STORY.  85 

Tower  Hill  in  1793.  I  myself  am  Master  of  the 
Horse  to  his  Royal  Highness  the  Prince,  not  by 
wish  of  my  father  nor  myself,  but  by  command  of 
the  King,  which  it  was  prudent  to  obey.  What  this 
rising  may  mean  now,  I  cannot  guess.  It  may  well 
be  but  in  the  jealous  mind  of  the  King,  who  would 
fain  provoke  us  to  resistance  and  then  crush  us,  having, 
as  he  supposed,  myself  in  his  hands,  and  my  cousin 
Lord  George  Dorset  also  in  South  London,  whom 
he  hath  already  cruelly  slaughtered,  —  but  I  cannot 
speak  of  this  with  dry  eyes. 

"  To  go  on  with  my  tale.  We  have  our  own  ships, 
and  it  hath  been  our  dear  wish  and  dream  to  discover 
a  passage  out  of  this  ice-locked  sea,  that  we  may 
know  the  Old  World  again.  And  so,  a  year  since 
come  midsummertide,  my  father  sent  a  ship,  well- 
fared,  to  sail  northward,  and  to  try  to  stem  the  Warm 
Current,  and  attain  to  the  open  ocean  beyond.  The 
endeavor  was  vain ;  yet  the  voyage  brought  marvel- 
lous fruits,  which  are  known  only  to  the  ship's  com- 
pany, and  to  the  Earl  and  his  family  and  a  few  trusted 
friends.  For  all  those  who  sailed  were  afterward 
taken  into  the  Earl's  household,  and  with  great 
rewards  sworn  to  silence.  They  are  all  Northum- 
brians, and  faithful.  For,  got  the  tidings  abroad  on 
the  wind,  ill  might  it  fare  with  my  father  and  me 
that  the  King  were  kept  unknowing  of  the  matter. 
Methinks  even  now  it  may  well  be  that  some  knowl- 
edge of  it  have  reached  the  tyrant,  and  hence  our 
trouble.      Be    that   as    it  may,    the  ship  passed  into 


86  CENTURIES  APART. 

the  strait  whence  issues  the  Warm  Current,  with 
much  travail.  Beyond  that  she  might  not  prevail. 
But  they  found  a  large  and  strangely  made  ship, 
more  like  to  yours  than  to  ours  of  South  England, 
which  was  half  wrecked,  and  had  been  driven  through 
the  ice  from  the  Atlantic  broad  ocean  the  autumn 
before,  and,  with  masts  gone  and  half  her  company 
dead,  she  lay  within  a  sheltered  bay  at  anchor. 
She  was  laden  partly  with  coals,  though  not  like 
what  we  have  in  our  mines,  but  harder.  Her  people 
had  taken  to  the  shores,  and  had  builded  huts  there; 
and  those  who  lived  had  found  meat  by  hunting  and 
fishing  through  the  dark  months.  Now,  kinsman, 
much  will  you  ponder  over  what  cometh  after.  When 
our  people  found  them,  but  three  weak,  sick,  fam- 
ished men  were  at  the  huts.  The  rest  of  the  company 
had  gone  forth,  a  long  month  ere  that  day,  to  essay 
to  find  some  way  so  might  they  free  themselves  from 
the  ice  and  escape  their  awful  doom.  Belike  they 
perished  in  the  wilderness,  for  ne'er  returned  one  of 
them  to  tell  the  tale.  Of  the  three  found  by  our 
ship's  company,  only  one  lived  to  come  here  with 
them.  He  was,  like  yourself,  an  American,  and  had 
been  a  high  officer  in  what  was  yclept  by  him  the 
Confederate  States  Army,  —  rebels,  I  ween,  to  your 
Republic.  But  he,  wearying  of  the  strife,  and  having 
lost  his  two  sons  in  battle,  had  given  up  the  cause 
and  become  an  exile  from  his  land,  leaving  it  and 
taking  with  him  that  which  he  set  most  store  by, 
which  were    goodly   quantity  of  books,  imprinted  in 


A   REMARKABLE  STORY.  87 

black-letter,  and  some  having  rarely  beautiful  pre- 
sentments, together  with  the  tales,  of  all  things  per- 
taining to  the  acts  related.  Many  of  these  fair  as 
an  illuminated  missal  of  old  !  The  imprinting  was  so 
much  better  than  the  work  of  our  craftsmen,  and  the 
paper  so  soft  and  clear,  we  had  not  dreamed  such  to 
be  among  the  nations  of  the  earth.  In  good  sooth 
the  store  of  books  was  worth  a  prince's  ransom. 
We  deemed  the  man  to  be  of  greatest  wealth  and 
consequence  from  these  his  possessions,  but  he  told 
us  what  seemed  wondrous,  that  books  like  unto  these 
were  common  to  all  men,  clerkly  or  of  rank,  in  Europe, 
and  to  almost  all  men  whatsoever  in  America. 
Moreover,  not  books  alone  had  he,  but  large  sheets 
of  imprinting  yclept  '  newspapers,'  which,  by  the  dates 
impressed  upon  them,  we  saw  to  have  been  tidings 
of  every  day,  for  all  men  to  read.  And  almost  all 
Americans,  he  said,  could  make  shift  to  decipher 
them.  In  these  were  store  of  tales  of  great  battles 
fought  by  huge  armies  in  your  land.  I  bethink  me 
of  one  glorious  passage  of  arms  of  three  days'  length, 
at  a  burgh  named  '  Gettysburg  '  (if  I  call  it  aright). 
I  took  note  that  some  scores  of  thousands  were 
slain  in  that  strife." 

"  Yes,"  remarked  Percy,  bewildered  at  the  singu- 
larity of  the  circumstances;  "  I  myself  fought  there." 

"  By  'r  Lady,  how  strange  !  "  ejaculated  the  Baron  ; 
"  and  I  talk  with  you  who  say  that !  But  the  wonders 
of  those  books  !  They  were  of  history,  poesy,  knowl- 
edge, romance,  wisdom  untold.     My  father  the  Earl, 


88  CENTURIES  APART. 

I  myself,  and  my  sister,  who  is  convent  taught,  read 
night  and  day  all  that  autumn  and  winter,  devouring 
the  books  like  as  they  were  venison  pasties.  And  we 
are,  in  good  sooth,  crammed  full  of  much  learning; 
for  we  loved  much  the  books  of  poesy,  counting  as 
first  those  of  the  great  minstrel  of  Old  England, 
William  Shakespeare.  I  learned  store  of  him  by 
heart,  and  thus  at  times  can  use  his  words  in  my 
talk.  Furthermore,  his  language  smacketh  more  of 
our  way  of  speaking  than  ours  doth  of  yours,  or  the 
English  of  these  days.  And  somewhat  he  singeth  of 
our  family  of  the  Percy.  Very  blythe  is  the  Earl  my 
father,  of  those  plays.  Next  to  Shakespeare,  loved 
we  the  poesy  of  a  certain  Sir  Walter  Scott.  Then 
came  there  other  noble  minstrelsy,  and  tales  of 
romance,  and  a  score  of  volumes  of  all  knowledge, 
surnamed  '  Encyclopaedia  Britannica ; '  and  a  vast  book 
of  a  roll  or  list  of  all  known  English  words,  yclept  a 
'  Dictionary.'  This  book  readeth  much  my  Lord  the 
Earl,  ne'er  tiring  for,  it  may  be,  a  half-day;  for  his 
malady  (which  may  it  please  God  speedily  to  mend) 
hath  kept  him  within  his  castle  walls  for  two  years 
and  more. 

"  But  read  we,  moreover,  all  history  beside,  and 
tongue  cannot  tell  the  wonders  that  therein  we  have 
found. 

"  The  story  of  most  nations  of  Europe  seemeth  to 
me  to  be  only  that  of  the  natural  advance  or  progress 
which  hath  been  making  head  in  the  world  since 
the    first   coming  out  of  the  nations  from  the  dark- 


A   REMARKABLE  STORY.  89 

ness  which  had  enveloped  Europe  following  upon 
the  downfall  of  the  Roman  empire ;  but  the  tale  of 
your  land,  from  its  discovery,  through  the  day  of  its 
colonization  and  settlement,  eftsoon  of  its  growth, 
after  of  its  revolt  against  England,  of  its  wondrous 
progress  since,  even  so  up  to  the  time  when  this 
man  and  his  books  fell  into  our  hands,  —  all  this 
seemeth  more  mighty  and  marvellous  than  all  else 
in  history  or  tradition  of  past  time.  For  I  do  per- 
ceive that  now,  for  the  first  time  in  the  world,  all 
men  have  their  equal  rights ;  yet  doth  that  not  breed 
ruin  and  confusion,  but  your  rulers  seem  more  wise 
and  powerful  than  kings,  and  yet  your  people  are 
right  loyal  and  obedient  to  these  lords  of  their  own 
making.  And  this  rebellion  in  your  land  hath  naught 
to  do  (if  I  rightly  judge)  with  these  matters,  but 
cometh  from  special  causes,  which  I  comprehend 
not. 

"  Much  have  my  father  and  I  had  converse  respect- 
ing these  things;  and  much  with  him,  our  guest,  the 
American  exile,  who  died,  I  am  assured  in  my  mind, 
of  a  heartbreak,  after  abiding  with  us  for  some 
months'  space.  He  was  a  right  noble  gentleman, 
and  had  been,  I  'd  lay  my  gage  on 't,  a  gallant 
warrior.  Many  scars  wore  he  from  his  battles.  But 
he  died  right  remorseful,  and  yet  gladly  withal ;  for 
in  his  fever  moaned  he  strange  words,  and  of  a  sud- 
den, coming  to  his  mind,  he  demanded  what  day 
was  that.  And  Father  Peter  answering  him,  he 
muttered  proudly,  — 


90  CENTURIES  APART. 

"'Ay,  this  was  the  day  we  stormed  the  castle  of 
Chapultepec.'  But  then  he,  moaning  again,  mur- 
mured, '  Ah,  but  that  was  under  the  glorious  stars 
and  stripes!'  (What  meaning  had  his  words?) 
And  yet  again  :  — 

"  '  And  my  boys  died,  and  I  bled,  fighting  against 
that  flag!  And  here  lie  I,  out  of  the  world,  and  yet 
living,  but  never  more  to  see  that  dear  country  !  God 
send  me  sweet  death  quickly !  '  And  as  he  moaned 
and  raved  anon,  he  turned  his  face  to  shut  out  the 
light  of  the  sun,  and  so  died. 

"  Now,  not  only  have  my  father  the  Earl,  and  I, 
and  some  trusted  friends  here  in  the  North,  all  great 
barons  and  of  power  and  consequence,  read  and 
studied  closely  the  history  of  England  and  of  Amer- 
ica, those  two  most  powerful  free  nations,  but  much 
have  we  consulted  as  to  whether  anything  could  be 
done  to  help  our  own  land  and  people  in  like  man- 
ner, as  speedily  as  may  be.  Verily,  the  undertaking 
were  a  huge  one ;  for  we  greatly  opine  that  the 
wealth  and  power  of  the  English-speaking  nations 
are  due  to  their  civilization,  and  the  cultivation  and 
growth  of  the  arts  and  of  knowledge,  and  to  that 
freedom  of  the  common  people  which  fits  them, 
being  also  reasonably  educated  in  wisdom,  to  make 
a  most  important  part  of  a  nation  which  leadeth  the 
world.  And  I  do  recollect  me  of  a  writer  of  yours 
called  Thomas  Paine,  whose  words,  well  pondered, 
have  great  power.  I  am  greatly  moved  by  them ; 
yet   beshrew  me   if  I  am  of  his  mind  in   all  things 


A   REMARKABLE  STORY.  9 1 

which  he  saith.  But  if  we  can  bring  such  things  as 
have  you,  to  pass  in  South  England,  we  may  yet 
come  up  in  the  race  to  the  century  in  which  you  live, 
lagging  no  longer  three  or  four  hundred  years  after 
you.  And  't  were  like  that,  our  people  being  free 
and  taught,  there  would  follow  knowledge  and  cun- 
ning wisdom,  which  would  teach  us  how  to  conquer 
the  difficulties  which  enchain  us  here  in  this  part 
of  the  world,  afar  from  all  other  peoples." 

"  Upon  my  word,  my  Lord,  you  talk  like  a  nine- 
teenth century  reformer!  "  said  Percy,  laughing.  "  I 
commend  most  heartily  your  views,  but  I  warn  you 
they  are  far  in  advance  of  those  of  the  majority  of 
the  so-called  civilized  nations  of  the  earth.  In  fact, 
we  ourselves  are  engaged  in  a  gigantic  war  with  a 
large  minority  of  our  own  countrymen,  who  do  not 
believe  in  the  rights  of  man,  and  who  rebel  against 
the  government  because,  primarily,  of  their  fear  that 
the  institution  of  slavery  (which  exists  only  in  the 
rebellious  States  of  the  Republic)  is  in  danger  from 
the  ruling  power." 

"  Yes,"  replied  the  Baron,  gravely,  "  I  gather  as 
much  from  the  books  and  papers  which  I  have  read. 
Now,  peradventure,  you  may  marvel  to  hear  one  of 
my  rank  and  place  say  what  followeth ;  but  I  have 
thought  much  about  these  things  since  the  fortune 
which  hath  favored  us  with  the  books  which  converse 
so  fully  of  these  matters.  And  our  manner  of  life 
seemeth  in  many  ways  fell  tyranny  over  those  whom 
it  would  best  beseem   us  to  use  in  different  fashion, 


92  CENTURIES  APART. 

giving  them  fairer  chance  of  happiness  and  justice. 
I  know  't  would  be  vain  to  essay  to  rid  our  land  of 
feudalism  in  a  day,  when  it  hath  taken  Europe  ever 
since  what  you  call  the  Middle  Ages,  to  begin  to 
emerge  from  its  darkness ;  but  we  can  take  the  first 
steps  by  the  light  of  the  history  of  your  progress, 
which  shineth  from  the  pages  of  those  books  like 
the  fiery  cross  on  the  mountains  at  midnight. 

"  But  here  I  hold  converse,  while  night  waneth. 
We  might  with  greater  profit  be  sleeping,  for  the 
morrow's  march  will  be  a  weary  one ;  yet  '  t  will 
bring  us  to  fair  Northumbria." 

"Faith,  my  Lord,"  replied  the  American,  "  I  don't 
know  that  any  other  consideration  than  that  of  reach- 
ing Northumbria  could  tempt  me  to  a  long  march 
to-morrow,  for  that  abominable  long  drawn-out  voy- 
age has  quite  unfitted  me  for  such  a  ride  in  rough 
country.  I  'm  afraid  Pelham's  troopers  are  pretty 
well  used  up,  too,  from  the  way  they  drag  along. 
They  could  better  have  borne  a  fortnight's  forced 
march  before  that  voyage,  than  one  of  half  the 
length  so  soon  after  coming  ashore." 

"  By  my  halidom,  cousin,  and  I  bethought  me  not 
of  your  long  sea  voyage.  'T  was  unkind  of  me  to 
have  pushed  you  so  hard.  'Twere  better  to  take 
two  days  more  for  the  journey." 

"  No,  no,  my  dear  sir ;  let  us  push  on  to-morrow  as 
you  proposed.     We  can  stand  it,  I  guess." 

The  South-Englishman  stared.  "  I  cry  you  par- 
don, kinsman,"  he  said,   "but — you  guess?      Now 


A   REMARKABLE  STORY.  93 

have  I  seen  that  manner  of  words  in  some  of  your 
American  newspapers  which  we  have  at  Ravensclyffe. 
They  were  mostly  in  one  sheet  imprinted  in  a  city 
called  Boston,  if  I  ween  aright.  Prithee,  when  you 
say  '  I  guess,'  and  there  hath  been  no  riddle  pro- 
pounded thereon  to  guess,  —  is  that  the  expression 
used  by  Americans  and  English  to-day?  I  would 
fain  learn  these  new  ways  of  speech." 

Percy  laughed  heartily.  "  No,  and  yes,"  he  said. 
"  That  is  one  of  the  points  on  which  the  English 
deride  us,  as  a  '  Yankeeism ;  '  that  is  to  say,  a  collo- 
quial expression  peculiar  to  the  people  of  our  New 
England  States.  I  do  not  advise  its  adoption  by 
you." 

The  other  pondered  a  moment,  sleepily ;  but  fatigue 
overcame  all  desire  for  further  talk,  and  silence  and 
slumber  prevailed. 

The  next  day's  journey  was  through  a  country 
more  level  and  open;  and  although  the  road  led 
through  no  towns,  yet  it  passed  within  sight  of 
several  castles,  surrounded  by  the  inevitable  villages, 
and  across  the  moors  to  eastward  they  caught  glimpses 
of  two  cities  in  the  distance.  These,  the  baron  said, 
were  on  the  line  of  the  great  Norman  Way  and 
national  high-road  to  the  North,  toward  which  they 
were  diagonally  converging.  With  but  a  short  halt 
at  noon,  they  pushed  forward,  and,  early  in  the  after- 
noon, found  themselves  ascending  a  steep  and  rugged 
line  of  hills,  hardly  high  enough  to  be  called  moun- 
tains.    Still  they  were  much  broken  and  rock)-,  and 


94  CENTURIES  APART. 

covered  with  forest.  Upon  reaching  the  top  a  fine 
view  broke  upon  them.  To  northward  stretched  a 
hilly  and  fairly  wooded  country,  through  which  led 
a  broad  highway.  At  the  foot  of  the  height  upon 
which  they  stood  ran  a  swift  and  deep  river,  not  very 
wide,  but  having  wild  and  rocky  banks.  On  an  emi- 
nence directly  in  front  was  a  strong  castle,  with  quite 
a  town  lying  below  it  and  along  the  bank.  The  river 
widened  toward  the  east,  and  several  vessels  lay 
moored  in  the  stream  or  at  wharves.  They  were  of 
all  sizes,  from  fishing-boats  to  ships.  The  banner, 
flying  from  the  highest  tower  of  the  castle,  bore  the 
cognizance  of  the  Percy  family,  with  some  additional 
quarterings. 

The  Americans  gazed  at  the  scene  with  admira- 
tion. Lord  Percy  looked  at  them  with  a  proud 
smile.  "  Welcome,  gentlemen,"  he  said,  "  to  fair 
Northumbria  !  For  at  the  southern  base  of  the  range 
of  hills  we  crossed  the  bounds  of  my  father  the 
Earl's  dominion.  Yonder  lies  the  Earl's  castle  and 
town  of  Tyneside.  This  river  is  the  Tyne,  and  the 
sea  is  twelve  good  miles  away  to  eastward,  beyond 
those  mountains.  This  castle  and  village  over  against 
us,  yclept  'Tyneholme,'  pertain  to  my  father's  cousin, 
Sir  Brian  Percy  of  Tyneholme,  —  as  gallant  a  knight 
as  weareth  spurs,  and  as  ponderous  I  ween.  Right 
royal  welcome  meet  we  there." 

And  right  royal  welcome  met  they  there.  Sir 
Brian  proved  to  be  a  hearty,  choleric,  fine  old  fel- 
low, of  some  three  hundred  pounds'  weight,  and  of 


A   REMARKABLE  STORY.  95 

only  some  five  feet  six  inches  in  stature.  For  some 
years  he  had  been  compelled  to  deny  himself  the 
gratification  of  mounting  a  horse,  when  in  armor  of 
proof,  for  the  reason  that  no  horse  had  been  found 
which  could  sustain  his  weight  and  stand  up  under 
it.  All  this  was  a  great  trial  to  him,  for  he  had  been 
a  mighty  hunter  in  his  day,  as  well  as  a  dashing 
warrior.  He  could  not  do  enough  in  the  way  of 
hospitality  for  his  cousin  and  the  Americans,  and 
insisted  upon  their  remaining  a  day,  for  a  hunt- 
ing party.  But  this  pleasure  Lord  Reginald  felt 
compelled  to  decline,  with  many  thanks,  after  spend- 
ing two  or  three  hours  at  Sir  Brian's  towers,  and 
supping  with  him.  "  We  will  gladly  come  back  this 
way,  if  it  may  be  so,  cousin,"  he  said  in  parting, 
"and  taste  again  your  good  cheer;  but  time  is 
now  but  straitened  for  us,  and  we  must  needs  go 
forward." 

It  was  discovered,  however,  that  the  Doctor's  horse 
had  cast  a  shoe,  and  that  several  of  the  troopers' 
and  men-at-arms'  steeds  were  in  like  condition,  after 
the  journey  over  the  rough  roads  of  the  moun- 
tains; Lord  Reginald  therefore  recalled  his  farewell, 
and  prayed  Sir  Brian  to  receive  the  train  for  the 
night.  Nothing,  it  seemed,  could  have  better  pleased 
the  old  knight,  who  combined  the  best  qualities  of 
bully  Sir  John  Falstaff  with  his  avoirdupois;  and 
after  a  deal  of  bustling  and  choleric  fussing,  the 
whole  party  was  provided  for.  The  old  fellow  was, 
however,  devoutly  set   upon   the  American  officers' 


96  CENTURIES  APART. 

and  Lord  Reginald's  "  making  a  night  of  it  "  with 
him.  Nothing  would  suit  him  but  that  they  should 
sit  around  his  hospitable  board  until  nearly  sunrise. 
The  Doctor,  with  whom  Sir  Brian  at  once  instituted 
a  great  intimacy,  gave  a  synoptical  sketch  of  the 
history  of  the  world,  as  far  as  known  up  to  that  hour, 
greatly  to  the  admiration  of  all  the  South  English 
present,  and  the  puffing  excitement  of  the  knight, 
who  swore  that  such  a  man  as  Doctor  Bruce  should 
never  be  allowed  to  leave  South  England  again,  but 
be  held  there  and  heaped  with  honors  and  emolu- 
ments, and  put  at  the  head  of  the  universities. 

Percy  has  insisted  in  his  diary  that  the  South  Eng- 
lish were  always  temperate ;  but  he  does  acknowledge 
that,  on  this  occasion,  Sir  Brian  was  slightly  affected 
convivially,  and  actually  embraced  him,  Percy,  as  a 
cousin  from  the  antipodes.  Still,  he  continues  to  insist 
that  the  fat  knight  was  merely  enthusiastic,  and  by 
no  means  unduly  alcoholic.  I  prefer  to  believe  him 
implicitly.  This  faith  accords  best  with  the  general 
character  of  the  South  English  for  temperance;  and 
Percy  evidently  thinks  that  no  exceptions  were  neces- 
sary in  order  to  prove  this  rule. 

As  a  natural  result  of  their  long  sitting  of  the  night 
before,  and  also  on  account  of  the  necessary  atten- 
tions of  the  farriers  to  the  barefooted  horses,  the 
march  was  resumed  only  at  a  late  hour  of  the  succeed- 
ing morning.  The  Americans  noted  a  different  and 
more  manly  bearing  on  the  part  of  burgher  and 
peasant    after    crossing   the   Tyne ;    and    the    towns 


A    REMARKABLE  STORY.  97 

and  castles  were  more  cleanly,  sweet,  and  habitable, 
than  had  been  the  case  nearer  the  capital. 

So  they  went  forward  to  the  northeast,  and 
marched,  without  a  halt,  until  early  in  the  afternoon, 
crossing  gloomy  moors  and  plunging  through  thick 
woods.  Finally,  emerging  from  the  forest,  they  heard 
the  beating  of  the  surf,  and  soon  found  the  way  lead- 
ing to  and  surmounting  a  rocky  cliff.  Upon  the  edge 
of  this,  overhanging  the  sea,  was  a  very  large  and 
strong  castle,  having  a  goodly  sized  town  below  it, 
along  the  crags  and  on  the  downs  beneath.  A  prom- 
ontory swept  around  from  the  north,  in  a  semi- 
circle, so  as  almost  completely  to  enclose  a  little  bay, 
which  was  also  protected  from  the  side  of  the  ocean 
by  several  islands,  which  almost  land-locked  it.  In 
this  bay  lay  numerous  vessels,  mostly  small  fishing- 
craft;  but  there  were  ships  also  of  large  size,  and 
most  of  these  heavily  armed,  lying  at  anchor.  All 
these  latter,  as  well  as  the  castle,  flew  the  banner  of 
the  Percy. 

As  soon  as  the  little  cavalcade  came  in  sight  of 
the  warders  on  the  battlements,  and  Lord  Reginald's 
pennon  and  the  guidon  of  the  American  troop  — the 
forked  stars  and  stripes  —  became  visible,  it  was  seen 
that  the  walls  were  being  quickly  manned.  Imme- 
diately a  salute  of  ten  guns  was  fired  from  culverins, 
while  drum  and  trumpet  sounded  welcome,  and  the 
drawbridge  rattled  down  as  they  neared  the  moat. 
Upon  the  further  side,  extending  from  the  portcullis 
into  the  courtyard,  was  drawn  up  a  body  of  men-at- 

7 


98  CENTURIES  APART. 

arms,  and  the  Earl's  own  pennon  was  displayed  by 
the  knight  in  command. 

These  presented  their  lances  in  their  fashion,  as 
the  column  passed  the  gate,  and  courteous  greetings 
were  exchanged  between  the  knight  and  Lord  Percy 
and  the  American  officers. 

As  they  emerged  from  beneath  the  gateway,  a 
beautiful  scene  was  presented.  A  large  courtyard 
of  several  acres  in  extent  opened  in  front.  The 
interior  was  of  fine  turf.  A  number  of  large  trees 
bordered  this  lawn.  A  roadway  about  fifty  feet  wide 
extended  around  the  margin,  and  a  straight  avenue 
reached  from  the  gate  to  the  opposite  side  of  the 
courtyard.  At  its  further  extremity  was  the  entrance 
to  the  great  hall  of  the  castle,  under  a  gothic  arch- 
way, at  the  head  of  a  wide  flight  of  six  stone  steps. 
Several  high  and  strong  towers  were  situated  at  the 
angles  and  along  the  sides  of  the  rectangular  walls 
which  enclosed  the  courtyard.  On  the  landward 
side  these  towers  appeared  to  be  of  immense  strength. 
Between  them,  built  out  from  the  walls,  were  build- 
ings apparently  used  as  storehouses,  stables,  dwell- 
ings for  retainers,  and  other  purposes.  The  sea  or 
cliff  side  of  the  castle  was  the  one  containing  the 
palace,  so  to  speak,  or  apartments  of  the  family.  It 
was  very  strongly  fortified,  even  against  the  other 
towers  and  walls  and  courtyard  of  the  castle  itself, 
and  was  evidently  intended  to  be  the  citadel  of  the 
fortress.  Culverins  mounted  on  its  towers  com- 
manded all   points  inland  as  well  as   on  the  sea  side, 


A   REMARKABLE  STORY.  99 

and  the  great  banner  of  the  Earl  of  Northumberland 
flew  from  its  highest  turret. 

At  the  foot  of  the  steps,  before  the  gothic  archway, 
stood  a  group  of  men.  Conspicuous  before  the  others 
was  a  tall,  handsome  man  of  about  sixty-five  years, 
wearing  a  furred  cloak  or  mantle,  and  with  a  bonnet 
of  otter  skin  drawn  over  his  head.  Lord  Percy's 
men-at-arms  were  in  front,  and  they  moved  forward, 
followed  by  the  Americans,  who  had  formed  column 
of  fours  after  entering  the  gate.  Lord  Reginald 
invited  Percy  and  the  Doctor  to  ride  up  with  him,  and 
upon  arriving  in  presence  of  the  old  gentleman  all 
dismounted.  The  Baron  instantly  knelt  down  before 
the  Earl  (for  it  was  he),  and  received  his  father's 
blessing. 

"  Now  God  be  praised,  my  son  !  "  said  the  old  man, 
much  affected.  "  I  have  not  touched  pillow  these 
seven  nights,  nor  scarce  slept,  lest  I  ne'er  lay  eyes 
upon  thy  fair  head  more,  since  I  heard  thy  cousin 
made  such  bloody  ending.  I  dreaded  lest  thou 
shouldest  have  failed  to  escape  the  tyrant.  Harry 
rode  out  on  the  Norman  Way,  with  two  hundred 
men-at-arms,  to  meet  thee,  as  far  as  Dead  Man's 
Fens ;  but  he  met  the  Ben-Ardlac,  who  hath  craved 
peace  with  us  and  struck  hands  in  token  of  lasting 
alliance  and  amity.  He  told  Harry  that  your  party 
was  safe  in  the  mountains  in  his  country,  your  rear 
guarded  by  his  stout  mountaineers  ;  and  Harry  ranged 
the  Norman  Way  slowly  back,  in  case  of  any  party 
trying  to  intercept  thee  after  leaving  the  mountains. 


IOO  CENTURIES  APART. 

He  is  only  returned  this  morning,  knowing  of  thy 
safety.  All 's  well  now.  But  my  brother  Chester  is 
as  the  dead,  since  he  had  the  awful  news  of  his  son's 
murder,  and  we  are  getting  together  our  powers  here 
in  the  North  to  strike  for  our  lives.  Thou  wilt  hear 
news  indeed,  son.  But  beshrew  me  !  I  lag  in  courtesy 
toward  our  noble  guests,"  he  added,  turning  toward 
Percy  and  the  Doctor. 

"  This  gentleman,  my  father,  is  the  brevet-Colonel 
Bruce,  the  medical  director,  or  surgeon-in-chief, 
of  the  American  army.  And  this  is  the  Captain 
Arthur  Percy,  our  kinsman,  of  whom  I  sent  you 
knowledge.  These  are  officers  of  most  approved 
valor  and  esteem,  being  of  the  household  of  the  dis- 
tinguished American  General  Vaughn,  who  com- 
mands the  army,  which  with  the  fleet  now  tarries  in 
South  England  near  the  King's  city." 

The  Earl  took  the  hands  of  Bruce  and  Percy  with 
great  cordiality,  saying,  "  Our  guests  are  right  welcome 
to  our  poor  house  of  Ravensclyffe.  Colonel  Bruce, 
you  honor  us  with  your  presence  here.  My  son  hath 
admonished  me  of  your  great  learning  and  skill  in  all 
knowledge.  Cousin  Percy,  I  know  of  none  who  could 
pleasure  me  more  rarely,  by  tasting  my  bread  and 
salt,  than  one  of  our  blood  from  the  great  empire 
beyond  seas.  But  what  array  is  this?  "  he  asked,  in 
surprise,  as  he  turned  to  the  front,  at  the  clashing  of 
arms. 

Captain  Pelham  had  come  up  with  his  troop,  follow- 
ing Lord  Reginald's  men-at-arms,  and  now  had  formed 


A    REMARKABLE   STORY.  10 1 

"  left  front  into  line,"  opposite  the  Earl ;  and  as  the 
latter  turned  to  face  the  American  cavalry,  the  sharp 
order  rang  out,  "  Present  sabres!"  Then,  whirling 
his  horse  to  the  left  about,  Pelham  dropped  the  point 
of  his  own  broadsword.  The  Earl  instantly  perceived 
the  salute  tendered  him,  and  waved  his  hand  in  grace- 
ful acknowledgment. 

"  This,"  said  his  son,  in  reply  to  his  question,  "  is 
Captain  Pelham's  troop,  being  the  guard  or  train  of 
these  gentlemen.  It  is  led  by  a  young  gentleman  of 
great  courage  and  conduct  in  the  wars,  and  by  lieu- 
tenants not  less  worthy.  I  knew  it  would  greatly 
pleasure  your  Lordship  to  have  this  troop  brought, 
for  Ravensclyffe  ne'er  lacks  bread  nor  bed  for  friend 
nor  friend's  train." 

"  You  say  true,  son,"  replied  the  Earl,  "  and  have 
done  well  in  bringing  hither  such  a  brave  array.  But 
their  leaders  seem  but  beardless  boys.  Surely,  the 
Americans  must  be  soldiers  from  the  cradle.  See 
them  well  bestowed,  man  and  horse,  and  bring  the 
leaders,  that  I  may  welcome  them." 

Captain  Pelham  and  the  lieutenants  were  conse- 
quently presented,  and  then  the  Earl  turned  to  lead 
the  way  into  the  great  hall,  saying  at  the  same  time 
to  his  son:  "Haste,  now,  Reginald,  to  thy  mother's 
bower.  She  hath  fared  grievously  for  days,  as  did  I, 
lest  evil  befall  thee.     Thy  sister  is  with  her." 

The  great  hall  was  nearly  two  hundred  feet  in 
length,  and  half  as  wide,  and  some  eighteen  feet  high. 
It  was  finished  like  the  interior  of  the  castle  as  a  whole, 


102  CENTURIES  APART. 

in  a  style  similar  to  the  Gothic.  The  Earl  had  led 
the  way  to  a  sort  of  parlor  at  the  end  of  this  hall, 
which  was  hung  with  tapestry  representing  the  land- 
ing of  William  the  Conqueror.  The  furniture  con- 
sisted of  heavy  oaken  benches  and  large  chairs,  all 
of  which  were  dark  with  age  and  highly  polished. 
Several  tables  stood  about,  and  on  them  were  brass 
or  iron  candlesticks  holding  huge  tallow  or  wax  can- 
dles, for  illumination  at  night. 

"  Sit  ye  down,  gentlemen,  and  rest  awhile,"  said 
his  Lordship,  "  and  drink  a  cup  of  our  cheering 
waters." 

Immediately  servants  appeared  bearing  trays,  upon 
which  were  silver  tankards  containing  very  fair  wines. 

After  some  questions  about  the  journey,  the  Earl 
said,  "  It  will  pleasure  you,  doubtless,  gentlemen,  to 
retire  for  a  space  to  your  apartments ;  after  which  I 
shall  be  grateful  if  ye  will  walk  with  me  to  the  stables, 
for  I  would  fain  gaze  upon  the  superb  horses  ridden 
by  you,  for  the  likes  of  such  never  were  seen  in  this 
land." 

The  American  officers  were  consequently  shown  to 
rooms  pleasantly  situated,  overlooking  the  court,  and 
furnished  with  curtained  bedsteads,  settles,  and  large 
dishes  of  water  for  bathing  purposes,  as  well  as  tables 
and  chairs.  The  walls  were  hung  with  tapestry. 
Polished  steel  mirrors  were  disposed  near  the  deeply 
cut  windows.  Here  they  laid  aside  their  arms,  and 
changed  their  undress  for  full  uniform.  Upon  return- 
ing to  the  parlor,  they  found  the  Earl,  Lord  Reginald, 


A   REMARKABLE  STORY.  103 

and  a  young  gentleman  who  proved  to  be  the  Earl's 
younger  son,  Sir  Harry  Percy,  —  a  fine,  handsome 
fellow  of  some  twenty-one  years. 

"  My  son  Harry  is  the  Hotspur  of  the  family," 
remarked  the  Earl,  laughing.  "  He  won  his  spurs 
years  since,  and  well  represented!  your  Shakespeare's 
hero." 

The  young  man  laughed  also,  and  colored  mod- 
estly; and  although  he  might  have  appeared  a  "  Hot- 
spur "  in  war,  he  seemed  a  quiet  gentleman  in  piping 
times  of  peace. 

The  Earl  then  took  Percy's  arm,  apologizing  for  a 
feebleness  due  to  a  malady  of  some  years'  standing, 
and  led  the  way  to  the  stables,  which  stood  on  one 
side  of  the  courtyard.  Percy  was  astonished  at  the 
superior  character  of  the  home  for  the  horses,  which 
was  vastly  better  and  finer  than  the  accommodations 
which  he  had  seen  for  servants  and  retainers  in 
castles  which  he  had  visited  near  South  London, 
and  incomparably  cleaner  and  more  comfortable 
than  the  dwellings  of  the  lower  classes  which  he  had 
seen  elsewhere.  He  learned  afterward  that  retainers 
of  the  Percy  were  lodged  and  fed  as  if  there  were 
some  such  things  as  cleanliness  and  godliness  in 
Northumbria,  if  not  in  the  southerly  counties  of 
South  England.  There  was  a  fine  stud  of  horses 
belonging  to  the  Earl,  but  not  one  of  them  would 
compare  with  the  horses  of  the  American  officers. 
As  has  been  said  before,  the  colors  of  all  South 
English    horses    were    either    a    light    bay,    gray,   or 


104  CENTURIES  APART. 

sorrel.  No  blacks,  mahogany  bays,  or  chestnuts  had 
ever  been  seen  there ;  and  consequently  those  of  the 
American  officers,  which  were  all  dark  bays  or  chest- 
nuts (except  the  one  which  Percy  rode,  which  was 
jet  black),  excited  the  greatest  curiosity  and  admira- 
tion. They  were  from  two  to  four  hands  higher,  and 
two  to  three  hundred  pounds  heavier  than  the  largest 
South  English  horses.  The  Earl  was  like  a  boy  in 
his  pleasure  at  seeing  the  animals,  and  as  for  Sir 
Harry,  he  was  nearly  beside  himself  with  excitement. 

"Do  you  not  ride  at  all  now,  my  Lord?  "  asked 
Percy  of  the  old  gentleman. 

"  Sooth  to  say,"  was  the  reply,  "  I  have  not  had 
foot  in  stirrup  for  two  years  last  Michaelmas,  until 
now,  a  fair  month  since,  I  essayed  a  short  mile  on  my 
old  charger,  Sir  Launcelot.  Thanks  to  the  blessed 
Saint  Hubert  of  the  Well,  to  whom  I  vowed  a  new 
chalice  for  the  chapel  in  Tyneside  Forest,  I  was  not 
harmed,  but  the  better  withal,  for  the  essay.  And 
seven  times  since  have  I  bestrode  the  beast  without 
worse  hap." 

"  Then  would  you  honor  us  by  being  present  at  a 
dress  parade  at  some  hour  of  the  afternoon  agreeable 
to  your  Lordship?  And  would  you  further  give  me 
the  pleasure  of  riding  my  horse  Black  Owl?  Were 
you  in  full  health  and  strength,  my  Lord,  I  should  not 
presume  to  suggest  that  he  will  be  as  quiet  as  a 
cradle  if  you  desire  it,  although  when  aroused  as  full 
of  fire  and  spirit  as  the  boldest  horseman  could 
wish." 


A    REMARKABLE  STORY.  105 

The  Earl's  face  flushed  with  joy.  "  I  thank  you 
heartily,  kinsman,"  he  replied.  "  It  will  rarely 
pleasure  me  to  accept  your  courtesy.  But  what  will 
you  bestride?  The  poor  beasts  in  my  stable  are  all 
at  your  service,  but  none  can  match  your  black." 

"  Pardon  me,  my  Lord,  I  find  them  a  beautiful  lot 
of  creatures,  although  not,  perhaps,  so  large  as  ours; 
but  with  your  permission  I  will  ride  my  bay,  which 
brought  my  servant  hither.  I  am  more  fond  of  him 
even  than  of  my  black,  for  he  saved  my  life  in 
battle." 

"  I  prithee  tell  me  how,  kinsman." 

"  Well,  sir,  it  was  in  the  great  cavalry  fight  at 
Gettysburg,  to  the  right  of  the  main  battle.  It  was 
a  bitter  struggle,  and  we  were  mingled  in  the  ineUe. 
All  about  me  had  been  killed  or  wounded,  and  I  was 
dizzy  from  heat  and  loss  of  blood,  when  several  of 
the  enemy  rode  at  me  from  the  right  hand,  while  I 
was  being  surrounded  from  other  points." 

"  By  my  faith !  and  that  were  right  perilous, 
cousin,"    interrupted   the    Earl. 

"  Just  as  they  closed,  my  horse  swerved  to  the 
right,  and  then,  turning  sharply  to  the  front  again, 
raised  himself  and  sprang  high  in  air,  alighting  fairly 
on  the  neck  and  withers  of  the  nearest  rebel  trooper's 
horse.  This  beast  of  course  went  to  earth,  bearing 
however  with  him  two  more.  My  bay  managed  to 
keep  his  feet,  and  I  clung  fast  to  the  saddle;  and 
although  the  splendid  creature  received  a  sabre 
point  in  his  neck,  he  bore  me  safely  out  of  the  press 


106  CENTURIES  APART. 

and  into  our  line,  before  I  fell  from  his  back.  So 
you  see  why  I  love  him." 

"  By  my  halidom,  cousin,  but  that  beast  should  sit 
in  my  hall,  an  he  had  done  the  like  for  me,"  cried  the 
Earl;  "and  this  is  he?  Certes,  cousin,  he  is  of  rare 
beauty." 

"  That  he  is,  my  Lord.  Here  is  the  scar  on  his 
neck." 

The  Earl's  enthusiasm  was  freshly  aroused  by  the 
sight  of  this  noble  horse,  and  the  other  fine  animals 
were  next  inspected  and  admired,  after  which  Sir 
Harry  carried  off  Pelham  and  his  officers  to  view  the 
kennels  and  mews.  Percy  and  the  Doctor  accom- 
panied their  host  to  his  parlor  again,  where  he 
reclined,  as  was  his  wont,  upon  a  couch ;  and  the 
trio  talked  of  horses,  until  the  edifying  conversation 
was  interrupted  by  the  entrance  of  a  page,  a  pretty 
little  fellow,  dressed  very  much  as  Shakespeare's 
pages  dress  for  the  stage.  Dropping  on  one  knee, 
gracefully,  to  the  Earl,  he  delivered  himself  of  his 
message  as  follows  :  — 

"  Her  Ladyship  the  Countess  presenteth,  with  this 
red  rose,  her  heart's  best  wish  for  her  Lord's  health 
this  day,  and  hearing  that  he  hath  with  him  fair 
guests  from  far  lands,  desireth  that  it  may  please  him 
to  bring  them  to  her  bower,  as  she  had  not  the 
strength,  being  but  indifferent  well,  to  welcome 
them  in  his  good  company  when  they  crossed  his 
threshold." 

"  Say  to  her  Ladyship,  Amyas,"  replied  the  Earl, 


A   REMARKABLE  STORY.  \OJ 

with  a  smile,  and  pinching  the  chubby  boy's  ear, 
"  that  we  will  eftsoon  pay  our  devoirs  at  her  shrine, 
bringing  our  thanks  in  person  for  her  gracious  mes- 
sage, and  by  so  pleasing  a  herald.  What  say  you, 
gentlemen ;  shall  we  marry  performance  to  promise, 
and  go  at  once?" 

"  By  all  means,  my  Lord,"  replied  the  Doctor. 
"And  a  most  charming  bridal  it  will  be."  The  Earl 
laughed,  and  taking  the  Doctor's  arm,  they  went  on, 
followed  by  Percy. 


CHAPTER     V. 

IN  WHICH   THE   CAPTAIN  IS   WOUNDED   AND  TAKEN 
PRISONER   BY   CUPID. 

Oh,  how  quick  is  love  ! 

Venus  and  Adonis. 

THE  way  led  through  a  winding,  wainscoted  passage, 
up  a  flight  of  stone  steps,  and  through  a  doorway, 
into  a  beautiful  apartment,  hung  with  blue  tapestry, 
representing  the  Trojan  war.  At  the  end  of  this 
room  were  the  largest  windows  that  Percy  had  seen 
in  the  castle,  —  the  lower  sashes  glazed  in  diamond 
panes,  the  upper  in  colored  glass,  representing  the 
nativity.  In  a  deep  recess  on  one  side  stood  a  small 
altar,  with  a  statue  of  the  Virgin,  having  candles  burn- 
ing before  it.  The  furniture  of  this  room  was  much 
more  elaborate  than  that  elsewhere  in  the  castle.  In 
fact  there  were  many  articles  of  old-fashioned  luxury 
scattered  about,  which  evidently  had  come  from 
France  with  the  first  emigrants,  four  centuries  before. 
On  a  table  lay  several  books  of  antique  style.  A 
door  on  the  side,  partially  concealed  by  the  arras,  and 
which  stood  partly  open,  led  into  the  Countess's  bed- 
chamber, in  which  were  to  be  seen  her  maids.  The 
lady    herself  was    seated    in    a   large    chair    by   the 


TAKEN  PRISONER   BY  CUPID.  109 

window,  and  standing  near  her  was  Lord  Reginald. 
A  young  girl  stood  behind  her  chair,  somewhat  in 
the  shadow  of  some   drapery. 

As  the  gentlemen  advanced,  the  Countess  arose 
and  came  forward,  smiling,  extending  her  hand  to  the 
Earl,  who  carried  it  to  his  lips,  saying:  — 

"  Good-morrow,  Dame  Alice  !  Methinks  thou  'rt 
o'er  pale  this  day.  I  thank  thee  for  the  beauteous 
rose  sent  me  by  hands  of  Amyas.  'T  is  the  first  of 
the  season,  I  ween.  I  bring  my  fair  guests,  as  by 
thy  command.  Lady  Percy,  here  is  the  Colonel 
Bruce,  medical  director  of  the  American  army  now 
guests  of  the  King,  and  Captain  Percy  of  the  General's 
household.  This  young  gentleman  is,  by  descent,  of 
the  old  Percy  family  in  Northumberland  in  England, 
and  a  kinsman  of  our  own.  Make  them  right 
welcome." 

"  Indeed,  and  that  were  a  joy,  both  for  their  sakes 
and  our  own,"  said  the  lady,  extending  her  hand  to 
the  Doctor,  who  took  and  kissed  it  with  a  profound 
bow.  She  then  turned  to  Percy,  who  went  through 
with  the  same  ceremony,  and  she  continued  :  — 

"It  is  certes  a  rare  chance  which  bringeth  a  kins- 
man from  so  far  away  to  visit  us.  We  are  much 
beholden  to  our  son  for  the  happiness  of  seeing  you, 
fair  sirs,  and  we  trust  that  you  will  tarry  long  at 
Ravensclyffe." 

"  We  thank  you  heartily,  Madam,"  replied  Percy. 
"  Be  assured  that  every  moment  which  we  are  per- 
mitted to  spend  here  will  be  a  source  of  greatest 
pleasure  to  us." 


IIO  CENTURIES  APART. 

In  speaking,  Percy  had  the  opportunity  of  observ- 
ing the  Countess  more  closely.  She  was  of  medium 
height,  of  light  complexion,  with  blue  eyes  and  very 
pale  cheeks.  She  had  certainly  possessed  great  beauty, 
and  was  still  handsome,  with  a  most  winning  smile. 

"  But  where  is  our  Kate?  "  asked  the  Earl.  "  Ah, 
Kate,  come  forth,  and  greet  these  guests  of  ours. 
Here  is  the  Colonel  Bruce,  and  a  new  cousin  of  thine 
own, —  Captain  Arthur  Percy." 

The  maiden,  thus  bidden,  came  forward,  blushing, 
and  ofifered  her  hand  and  then  her  cheek  to  Bruce, 
who  took  the  one,  and  imprinted  a  hearty  kiss  upon 
the  other.  The  old  rogue  (he  must  have  been  forty 
at  least)  had  not  already  visited  several  noble  fami- 
lies, having  young  daughters,  in  the  neighborhood  of 
South  London,  without  learning  something  of  the 
customs  of  the  country.  But  when  the  young  lady 
turned  to  Percy,  he  took  her  hand  with  trembling 
reverence,  and  gazed  upon  her  beautiful  face  in 
speechless  and  immovable  admiration.  The  old 
Earl,  after  looking  on  a  moment  in  surprise,  burst 
into  laughter. 

"What,  man!  "  he  cried,  "canst  not  see  her  lips? 
Is  this  the  way  that  gallant  cousins  meet  fair  ones  in 
America?  Beshrew  me,  but  you  stand  a  bowshot  off 
from  her." 

Thus  adjured,  Percy  started,  came  to  himself,  took 
a  step  forward,  and  touched  his  lips  to  those  of  the 
lady  with  such  an  expression  of  awe-struck  worship 
in  his  face  that  the  Earl  cried :  — 


TAKEN  PRISONER  B  Y  CUPID.  1 1 1 

"  Tut,  man  !  she's  only  flesh  and  blood,  like  the  rest 
of  us.  Go,  take  her  aside,  and  tell  her  somewhat  of 
the  wonders  of  thy  land,  while  the  Colonel  Bruce 
doth  the  like  for  her  mother.  Son  Reginald,  give 
me  thine  arm  to  my  library.  I  would  fain  consult 
with  thee  upon  matters  of  moment." 

"  Wilt  sit  with  me  in  the  wainscot  of  the  window, 
and  talk  of  thy  railroad  cars,  thy  great  ships  and 
cities,  the  wonders  of  thy  Western  world,  and  dis- 
course of  the  beauty  of  the  maidens  thereof?  "  asked 
the  young  lady,  archly.  "  Nay,  look  not  amazed ! 
Thou  'rt   not  the    first    American  whom   I  've    seen." 

"Ah,  yes,  I  remember!"  replied  Percy.  "You 
had  as  guest  one  of  our  rebels." 

"  Rebel  or  no,  a  most  charming  gentleman,"  re- 
joined she.  "  Alack  !  Methinks  he  made  but  a  sad 
end  of  it,  far  from  home  and  kindred.  My  heart 
went  out  to  him." 

"  Happy  he  was  in  that,  then,"  said  Percy, 
gazing  admiringly  at  her.  "  I  think  I  could  die 
content  for  such  a  heart." 

"  Go  to,  thou  saucy  boy  !  "  cried  the  lady,  laugh- 
ing and  blushing.  "  What !  this  to  me,  and  on 
a  short  moment's  acquaintance?  Is  it  thus  thou 
talkest  to  thine  American  maidens?  I  should  weigh 
thee  for  a  gallant  fresh  from  La  Nouvelle  France. 
Go  to  again  !  Cease  this  singing-bird  talk,  and  tell 
me  first  of  the  ladies  of  thy  land.  Are  they  fair,  or 
dark?  tall,  or  of  low  stature?  And  what  is  their 
raiment?     Let  thy  memory   serve   thee   well  in  this 


112  CENTURIES  APART. 

last,  for  I  would  fain  be  wise,  and  know  much  of  the 
ways  of  the  world,  and  learn  how  to  array  myself 
when  I  go  to  visit  my  cousins   in  America." 

"  Oh,  woman,  woman,  the  same  the  world  over  !  " 
sighed  Percy.  "  Faith,  you  are  wise  enough  now, 
my  Lady,  like  the  others,  —  only  far  more  so  in  that 
you  know  how,  with  a  word  and  a  smile,  to  bewitch 
the  men  to  their  undoing." 

"What!  at  it  again?"  said  the  girl,  with  a  frown. 
"  Nay,  then,  I  '11  leave  thee,  to  go  to  hear  the  Colonel 
Bruce,  who  is  in  wise  discourse  with  my  mother." 
And  she  prepared  to  rise. 

"  What  art  thou  at  now,  Kate  ?"  called  the  Coun- 
tess. "  Fie,  girl !  thy  tongue  is  ever  like  a  lance-point, 
dipped  in  honey.  Heed  her  not,  kinsman,  or  give  her 
better  than  she  send,  if  she  be  shrewish."  Then  the 
Countess  turned,  laughing,  to  the  Doctor  again. 

"  Alack  !  "  sighed  the  girl.  "  So  my  Lady  meancth 
by  that  for  me  to  stay.  But  I  will  e'en  hold  my 
tongue,  and  listen  to  thee,  if  thou  be  not  too  weari- 
some. And  now,"  she  suddenly  went  on,  with  spark- 
ling eyes,  and  turning  to  him  with  interest,  "  let  me 
hear  thee  talk  of  the  matters  I  named." 

Thus  commanded,  Percy's  tongue  was  unloosed. 
To  do  the  young  man  justice,  he  was  a  fascinating 
conversationalist,  when  in  the  mood ;  and  that  he  now 
most  certainly  was,  for  there  before  him,  with  beau- 
tiful eyes  ever  and  anon  seeking  his,  only  to  drop 
before  his  admiring  glances,  and  with  ears  drinking 
in  the  wonders  he  recounted  in  his  graceful  style,  sat 


TAKEN  PRISONER  BY  CUPID.  113 

the  most  exquisite  creature  whom  he  had  ever  seen. 
So  he  thought;  and  I,  who  write  this,  quite  sympathize 
with  his  enthusiastic  admiration,  and  do  not  marvel 
at  his  falling  in  love  at  sight,  as  he  had  already  done. 
I  speak  by  the  card,  for  I  have  before  me,  as  I  write, 
a  fine  miniature  of  this  young  lady,  executed  upon 
ivory,  by  a  South  English  artist,  very  celebrated  in 
that  country,  and,  in  fact,  knighted  by  the  King  for 
his  talent.  Could  you,  reader,  see  it,  you  would  be 
silent  with  wonder  at  her  beauty.  When  you  had 
admired  this  enough,  you  would  naturally  ask  whence 
came  that  round  hole  in  the  lower  corner  of  the 
picture,  of  half  an  inch  in  diameter,  which  pierces 
clean  the  case  and  ivory.  Well,  wait.  You  will 
know  in  time. 

The  miniature  corresponds  with  Percy's  descrip- 
tion of  the  original,  which  I  will  give  here.  She  was 
tall,  straight  as  an  arrow,  and  graceful  as  a  fawn. 
Great  masses  of  light  auburn  hair  crowned  her  beau- 
tiful head  and  fell  in  carelessly  disposed  waves  low 
on  her  forehead.  A  heavy  braid  of  it,  wound  with 
pearls,  descended  at  her  back,  almost  to  her  feet. 
Her  very  deep  blue  eyes  looked  from  beneath  arched 
brows  of  a  hue  much  darker  than  her  hair.  Her 
form  was  that  of  a  wood-nymph.  Her  manner  was 
a  strange  mixture  of  unconstrained  gaycty,  tempered 
by  a  demure  propriety.  She  was  remarkably  well- 
informed  and  educated,  considering  the  customs  and 
influences  under  which  she  had  been  reared.  Her 
accomplishments,  though   peculiar   to   her  time  (if  I 


114  CENTURIES  APART. 

may  so  designate  it),  would,  as  far  as  they  went,  have 
fitted  her  to  adorn  even  our  best  society. 

Could  Arthur  Percy  have  helped  his  love  at  sight 
for  this  mediaeval  maiden  ?  He  was  but  human,  after 
all.  So  was  she  to  you  and  to  me,  O  reader !  But 
to  return  to  the  tale,  made  up  from  his  diary. 

An  hour  flitted  by  as  a  moment,  and  all  too  soon  ; 
the  Earl  and  Lord  Reginald  returned,  and  the  old 
gentleman   said :  — 

"  Come,  kinsman,  I  am  all  impatience  to  try  thy 
black  charger.     Wilt  please  thee  to  ride  with  me  ?  " 

"  Most  certainly,  my  Lord,"  replied  Percy. 

The  Earl  looked  at  him  for  a  moment,  and  then 
burst  into  a  loud  laugh,  saying:  "Nay,  never  look 
so  rueful,  lad.  I  see  't  is  so  long  since  thou  didst 
bid  farewell  to  the  fair  American  damsels,  that  con- 
verse with  my  Kate  bringeth  thee  merriment.  Kate, 
wilt  ride  with  us?  " 

"  That  I  will,  if  I  may,  my  father,"  replied  the  girl, 
casting  a  blushing  glance  at  Percy. 

"  Ah,  that  will  be  delightful !"  cried  Percy,  eagerly. 
"Lady  Kate,  will  you  honor  me  by  riding  my  bay? 
He  is  easily  handled  by  a  woman.  My  sister  has 
often  ridden  him  at  home." 

"  Oh,  thanks  to  you,  sir  !"  replied  the  girl,  joyfully; 
"  if  my  father  wills." 

"I  am  content,"  said  the  Earl;  "but  what  will  it 
please  you  to  ride,  Captain?" 

"  Well,  the  Doctor  has  a  fine  horse,  which  he  had 
of  me  before  we  sailed.     I  may  use  him,  Doctor?" 


TAKEN  PRISONER   B  Y  CUPID.  I  I  5 

"By  all  means,  my  dear  fellow,"  replied  the  Doctor. 
"  Use  him  all  the  time  you  arc  here,  if  you  wish. 
I  have  my  chestnut  here,  you  know.  My  man  can 
ride  one  of  the  native  horses." 

"  And  do  you  honor  us  with  your  presence,  Colonel 
Bruce?"  asked  the  Earl. 

"Now,  my  Lord,"  expostulated  the  Countess, — 
"  you  would  fain  carry  away  all  the  guests.  The 
Colonel  hath  not  yet  finished  his  rare  tales  of  life  in 
his  own  land;  I  am  wondrous  selfish,  and  bid  him 
stay." 

"  I  fear  his  Lordship  does  not  consider  the  sacrifice 
he  requires  of  me,  in  asking  me  to  tear  myself  away 
from  the  charming  presence  of  his  lady,  even  to  ride 
with  him,"  said  the  Doctor,  with  a  bow  of  remarkable 
profundity. 

"  Oh,  well  might  I  have  looked  for  this  !  "  said  the 
Earl,  laughing.  "  You  Americans  seem  '  as  gallant 
in  bower  as  dauntless  in  fray,'  as  our  minstrel  hath 
it.  Well,  I  will  e'en  give  up  thy  fair  company  for 
the  lady's  sake." 

So  saying  they  descended  to  the  hall.  Lady  Kate 
appeared  soon,  clad  in  garments  that  permitted  her 
bestriding  a  horse  like  a  man ;  for  that  was  the  cus- 
tom in  South  England,  as  it  should  be  everywhere. 
Nothing  is  more  absurd  than  the  foolish  and  danger- 
ous fashion  in  vogue  in  America  and  Europe,  —  of  a 
woman's  touching  upon  one  side  of  a  horse,  as  if  the 
beast  were  an  argument. 

The  South  English  saddles  resembled  very  closely 


I  1 6  CENTURIES  A  PA  R  T. 

the  American  war  saddles ;  and,  strange  to  say,  they 
used  the  cinch  instead  of  a  girth,  which  improvement 
has  been  adopted  in  our  army  in  late  years.  The 
bridles  were  exactly  like  those  of  the  Americans  ;  and 
the  American  horses  were,  therefore,  happily  not 
worried  by  any  material  change  of  equipment. 

At  the  hall  door  stood  the  animals.  Percy's  bay 
was  brought  forward  for  Lady  Kate  to  mount;  Percy 
himself  stepped  to  her  side  and  was  about  to  take 
her  hand  to  assist  her,  but  was  somewhat  discon- 
certed to  see  the  girl  place  her  hands  on  the  pommel 
and  cantle,  and,  with  a  movement  like  that  of  a 
bird  rising  to  take  wing,  vault  into  her  seat  most 
gracefully.  The  Earl  laughed  at  his  surprise,  and 
said,  — 

"  Thou  'rt  doubtless  a  good  horseman,  kinsman, 
but  wilt  do  well  to  match  that  damsel's  horsemanship. 
She  was  taught  to  ride  by  her  old  father." 

The  gentlemen  mounted  and  set  forward ;  Percy 
noticed  that  they  were  followed  by  several  grooms 
at  a  little  distance.  After  passing  the  gate  and  draw- 
bridge, they  rode  down  through  the  town,  and  thence 
out  upon  the  moor.  The  old  nobleman  and  his 
daughter  were,  indeed,  consummate  horsemen,  both 
of  them,  for  the  lady  was  not  what  we  consider  a 
good  horsewoman ;  she  was  quite  as  bold  and  daring 
in  handling  her  horse  as  any  man  would  be,  and  put 
him  through  every  pace  and  movement  of  which  he 
was  capable,  and  also  tried  to  induce  him  to  under- 
take some  sideways  jumps,  which  the  animal  con- 


TAKEN  PRISONER  BY  CUPID.  WJ 

temptuously  declined  to  learn.  Seeing  this  she 
laughed  merrily,  and  caressed  him,  saying,  — 

"  Your  charger  is  but  too  well  satisfied  with  that 
which  he  hath  already  learned  in  America,  and 
will  fain  do  naught  strange  to  pleasure  a  damsel 
withal." 

The  old  Earl  meanwhile,  who  had  ridden  off  alone 
across  the  moor  for  a  mile,  now  returned  to  the  party, 
and  said  to  Percy:  "  Methinks,  cousin,  I  never  rode 
steed  before,  yet  our  horses  be  fine  beasts ;  but  to  be 
upon  such  a  tall  and  powerful  animal  is  such  as  no 
man  here  knoweth  thereof  the  joy.  Kinsman,  would 
that  I  had  bestridden  the  like  before  my  fighting 
days  were  o'er !  " 

But  here  the  lady  interrupted  the  conversation, 
saying,  "  I  cry  you  pardon,  my  Lord,  but  were  it  not 
meet  that  we  ride  to  the  castle?  It  should  be  the 
hour  for  a  refection,  and  I  fear  our  guests  have  been 
waiting  but  too  long  for  our  good  cheer." 

"  Beshrew  me,  Kate,  but  thou  'rt  a  good  housewife. 
Woe  is  me,  but  these  horses  have  made  me  forget 
our  friends'  needs !  Let  us,  indeed,  speed  to  the 
castle,  where  I  dare  swear  the  table  groaneth  to  be 
lightened." 

The  homeward  ride  was  almost  a  race ;  and  Percy 
had  much  ado  to  keep  up  with  his  own  horses  and 
their  riders.  When  they  reached  the  hall  door  again 
the  maiden  permitted  Percy  to  hand  her  from  the 
saddle,  and  she  and  her  father  again  most  enthusias- 
tically praised  the  horses. 


1 18  CENTURIES  APART. 

The  "  refection "  turned  out  to  be  a  substantial 
meal,  indeed ;  it  was  served  in  the  great  hall.  At 
the  head  of  the  board,  on  a  raised  platform  or  dais, 
sat  the  Earl,  with  the  Countess  on  his  left;  the  rest 
of  the  family  and  the  guests  were  ranged  down  on 
both  sides.  Below  the  platform,  and  in  order  of 
rank  and  precedence,  sat  the  retainers  and  American 
soldiers ;  in  fact,  the  whole  household,  with  the 
exception  of  those  whose  duty  it  was  to  serve  the 
table,  seemed  to  eat  at  the  same  time  and  place. 
Everything  appeared  fairly  clean  and  wholesome,  far 
more  so  at  least  than  in  any  palaces  or  castles  in  the 
south  of  the  island  where  the  Americans  had  visited ; 
still  it  seemed  as  if  all  the  dogs  belonging  to  the 
establishment  were  there,  and  they  fought  and  snarled 
over  scraps  that  were  thrown  them  from  time  to  time, 
the  effect  being  far  from  agreeable  from  the  point  of 
observation  of  every  sense. 

The  table  furniture  consisted  of  platters  and  tank- 
ards of  silver  for  the  use  of  the  gentry,  and  of  brass 
or  pewter  for  the  common  people.  Very  little  pottery 
was  in  use,  and  that  only  for  pasties.  Knives  were 
provided  for  the  Earl's  family  and  guests  ;  but  "  below 
the  salt "  every  one  was  supposed  to  bring  his  own 
cutlery.  The  American  troopers,  who  carried  each 
his  own  knife,  steel  fork,  and  tin  plate  and  dipper  in 
his  kit,  brought  them  to  the  table ;  and  great  was  the 
interest  manifested  by  the  South  English  in  behold- 
ing their  use.  The  fork  seemed  a  refinement  of 
luxury,  their  only  substitute  for  which  being  the  com- 


TAKEN  PRISONER  BY  CUPID.  I  19 

plete  implement  invented  some  thousands  of  years 
since  by  Dame  Nature,  —  namely,  the  thumb  and 
finger.  No  table-cloth  was  used,  fortunately ;  for  the 
massive  oaken  board  was  in  a  condition  of  uncleanli- 
ness  which,  in  the  fastidious  souls  of  the  Americans, 
seemed  nearly  akin  to  ungodliness,  after  the  meal 
was  finished,  and  the  scattered  fragments  of  the  feast 
were  spread  around. 

The  viands  were  in  variety  as  to  meats,  —  which  con- 
sisted of  roast  beef  from  the  small,  polled  cattle  of 
the  country,  of  the  breed  brought  there  eight  hun- 
dred or  nine  hundred  years  before  by  the  race  which 
inhabited  the  land  before  the  English  came,  this 
beef  being  very  inferior  to  ours;  mutton  from  the 
domesticated  mountain  sheep  ;  rabbits  baked  whole  ; 
wild  fowl  of  several  kinds ;  and  huge  venison  pasties 
made  from  the  flesh  of  the  "  red  deer,"  as  it  was 
called,  or  "stag,"  which  was  a  kind  of  reindeer,  much 
more  sprightly  and  gamey  than  the  American  or 
European  species.  The  drinks  were  the  light  beer 
of  the  country  and  a  peculiarly  weak,  sour  wine. 
These  were  used  in  great  moderation  by  the  people, 
and,  as  has  been  previously  stated,  intoxication  was 
almost  unknown,  and  counted  a  lasting  disgrace. 
Sweet  cakes  were  served  after  the  substantial  part 
of  the  repast,  and  a  drink  with  them  made  from 
honey.  The  Doctor  inquired  as  to  the  source  of  the 
sugar  used,  and  which,  as  he  suspected,  proved  to  be 
made  from  a  species  of  maple,  forests  of  which  were 
preserved  with  the  utmost  care,  —  it  being  counted  a 


120  CENTURIES  APART. 

crime  worse  than  poaching  to  cut  down  or  injure 
a  tree,  and  the  wood-rangers  being  empowered  to 
slay  without  benefit  of  clergy  any  one  caught  in 
the  act. 

"  There  is  likewise  a  sweet  syrup  obtained  from 
the  sap  of  the  grain  from  which  our  meal  is  made," 
remarked  the  Earl ;  "  but  't  is  of  mean  quality,  and 
unused  by  gentle  blood." 

This  meal  appeared  to  be  the  dinner,  although 
evidently  served  this  day  much  later  than  was  cus- 
tomary, owing  to  the  interruption  caused  by  the 
coming  of  the  Americans.  In  the  evening  another 
was  partaken  of,  simpler  in  character,  and  no  drinks 
but  beer  accompanied  the  dark,  coarse  bread  and  two 
or  three  kinds  of  cold  meats  which  formed  the  bill 
of  fare.  It  may  be  stated  here  that  the  breakfast 
consisted  of  various  kinds  of  fish,  —  such  as  cod, 
halibut,  and  salmon  or  trout,  —  and  eggs,  with  bread. 
The  drink  was  beer,  although  milk  was  sometimes 
drunk  at  this  meal. 

A  dress  parade  was  arranged  by  Captain  Pelham, 
just  before  retreat,  which  was  attended  by  the  Earl 
and  his  sons,  very  much  to  their  gratification.  Lord 
Reginald  remarked  to  his  father,  however :  — 

"  This  is  as  well  as  can  be  done  by  the  small  num- 
ber of  soldiers  here ;  but  if  you  could  see  the  dress 
parade  of  a  brigade,  my  Lord,  with  the  rare  music  of 
their  magnificent  bands,  and  their  splendid  chargers 
upon  the  field,  you  would  be  blythely  moved." 

"  Alas,   son  Reginald,  I  may   never  again   behold 


TAKEN  PRISONER  BY  CUPID.  121 

martial  array ;  but  I  would  risk  my  head  to  see  yon 
fair  army  of  the  stranger." 

Late  in  the  evening  the  company  sat  down  to  a 
supper,  served  as  has  been  described,  as  to  food; 
and  in  fairly  good  time  the  guests  retired  to- sleep, 
glad  to  be  able  to  rest  quietly  without  the  certainty 
of  the  necessity  of  marching  at  an  early  hour  of  the 
succeeding  morning. 

The  next  day  the  Earl  proposed  a  ride  over  the 
moors ;  and  Percy  insisted  upon  his  taking  the  Black 
Owl  again.  The  old  gentleman  was  nothing  loath, 
and  as  Lady  Kate  was  to  be  of  the  party,  she  was  to 
ride  the  bay,  as  on  the  day  before.  These  three 
were  all  who  composed  the  company,  as  Sir  Harry 
had  started  some  two  hours  before  with  the  cavalry 
officers  and  Doctor  Bruce,  together  with  quite  a 
number  of  the  retainers  of  the  Earl,  and  nearly  all 
the  American  troopers,  to  cross  the  moors  and  fly 
some  hawks  at  the  fens  near  a  bend  of  the  river  some 
six  miles  away.  Captain  Percy  had  observed  that 
Lord  Reginald  had  ridden  off  yet  earlier,  and  he  did 
not  return  until  late  in  the  day. 

When  they  crossed  the  drawbridge  Percy  noticed 
that  they  were  followed  by  the  Earl's  squire,  who  had 
charge  of  half-a-dozen  huntsmen  and  grooms,  one  of 
whom  bore  a  hawk  upon  his  wrist.  The  Earl  led  the 
way  toward  the  hills,  beyond  which  stretched  the 
moors,  and  a  fen  which  skirted  the  river. 

It  was  a  delicious  spring  day ;  the  frost  had  been 
but  light  the  night  before,  and  the  air  was  just  cool 
enough  to  be  agreeable. 


122  CENTURIES  APART. 

During  the  first  half-hour  very  little  was  said  by 
the  Earl  or  Lady  Kate ;  they  were  paying  the 
closest  attention  to  their  horses,  and  putting  them 
through  all  their  paces.  At  last  they  drew  up  near 
a  marshy  meadow,  over  which  light  mists  still 
brooded,  although  the  sun  was  high  in  the  heavens. 

Suddenly,  from  the  bosom  of  a  little  lake,  rose  a 
large  heron,  which  took  its  way  majestically  over  the 
moor. 

Instantly  the  old  Earl's  eyes  kindled.  "  Now, 
Kate,"  he  cried. 

"  That  soar-hawk,  Digby,"  she  called  to  one  of  the 
huntsmen,  who  quickly  unhooded  and  freed  the  hawk 
upon  his  fist,  and  placed  it  upon  Lady  Kate's  left 
wrist.  The  girl  stroked  it  once,  and  then  with  a  loud 
cry  pointed  out  the  heron,  and  threw  the  hawk  into 
the  air.  The  bird  "  bated "  at  once,  and  sailed 
toward  the  heron,  which  "took  the  air"  in  small, 
rapid  spirals,  and  put  forth  all  its  efforts  to  escape, 
but  verged  away  from  the  fens  and  over  the  broad, 
level  moor.  Then  all  the  party  but  the  American 
shook  their  bridles,  spurred  and  struck  their  horses, 
dashing  away  at  a  fierce  gallop  to  follow  the  course 
of  the  birds.  They  had  gone  fifty  yards  before 
Percy  collected  himself  enough  to  follow  them ;  but 
then  he  put  his  animal  forward  at  a  high  pace  and 
soon  overtook  the  horses  of  all  except  the  Earl  and 
his  daughter,  who  had  such  a  start.  The  heron  still 
circled  in  rising  higher  and  higher;  the  hawk  flying 
in  large  spirals  finally  got  above  the  heron,  and  sud- 


TAKEN  PRISONER  BY  CUPID.  123 

denly  made  a  strong  swoop  downward.  The  heron 
dashed  to  one  side  and  downward,  escaping  for  the 
time  by  so  close  a  margin  that  its  back  was  evidently 
grazed  by  the  hawk,  for  a  small  cloud  of  feathers 
floated  away  on  the  air. 

The  heron  now  changed  its  tactics,  and  suddenly 
turning,  shot  diagonally  down  and  back  toward  the 
fens,  coming  with  the  speed  of  a  cannon-ball.  The 
hawk  had  not  counted  upon  this  unusual  proceeding, 
and  plainly  was  a  bit  disconcerted  ;  but,  after  losing 
a  little,  regained  her  course,  and  then  rapidly  closed 
the  distance  between  herself  and  the  heron.  The 
latter  had  now  drawn  so  near  as  to  be  quite  low  over 
the  party  of  riders,  who  drew  rein  and  watched  the 
flight  feverishly.  Again  the  heron  began  to  rise  in 
small  spirals,  but  the  hawk  was  now  close  upon  him, 
and  following  upward  in  her  rapid,  graceful  circles, 
came  soon  above  the  doomed  bird ;  then,  with 
another  fierce  swoop,  she  was  seen  to  "  bind  to  "  the 
quarry,  which  was  borne  helplessly  to  the  earth. 
The  party  galloped  a  few  rods  and  soon  "  got  in  "  on 
the  hawk,  where  the  "  pelt"  still  lay  quivering.  The 
huntsman  whistled  for  the  hawk,  which  flew  to  him. 

"  Well  flown,  soar-hawk  !  Well  struck,  thou  lady 
bird!"  cried  the  Earl,  as  he  rode  up.  And  his 
daughter  petted  and  caressed  the  young  hawk, 
regardless  of  the  blood  which  covered  her  head 
and  wings,  and  which  stained  the  lady's  dainty 
hands  and  dress  without  disturbing  her  in  the 
least. 


124  CENTURIES  APART. 

"  Well  done  for  a  second  strike  only,  Digby,"  she 
exclaimed,  gleefully,  to  the  man. 

"Yes,  in  faith,  my  Lady,"  replied  he,  "your  little 
eyas  will  yet  head  the  mews." 

"Do  you  hawk  in  your  country?"  asked  the 
maiden  of  Percy. 

"No,"  he  answered;  "this  kind  of  sport  has  been 
diminishing  now  for  centuries  in  England,  and  was 
never  much  practised  in  America." 

"  I  have  had  sport  enow  for  to-day,"  said  the  Earl, 
"  and  will  e'en  return  to  the  castle.  Kate,  peradven- 
ture  our  cousin  might  like  to  see  the  '  Witch's  Leap ' 
ere  you  return."  So  saying,  he  rode  oft",  followed  by 
all  the  retainers  but  Lady  Kate's  groom. 

"What  is  the  'Witch's  Leap'?"  asked  Percy,  as 
they  rode  away  in  the  opposite  direction. 

"  A  beauteous  peasant  girl  was  charged  with  prac- 
tising witchcraft  in  yonder  town,  when  I  was  but  a 
babe.  She  fled  away,  and  was  hunted  with  hounds 
to  yon  crag  of  the  river,  which  we  shall  anon  see. 
She  was  brought  to  bay  at  the  brink  of  the  precipice, 
and  threw  herself  over,  for  an'  she  were  taken,  she 
burned.  In  falling  she  caught,  for  a  space,  on  the 
twig  of  an  oak  half-way  down  the  awesome  height. 
A  pair  of  large  sea-eagles  had  their  eyry  on  the  cliff. 
They  darted  out  at  her  just  as  the  shrieve  and  his 
men  reached  the  brink,  and  the  shrieve  told  an 
archer  to  shoot  at  her,  for  the  fiend  her  master  would 
not  let  her  be  dashed  on  the  rocks  below,  but  rather 
had  wafted  her  softly  downward,  and  she  had  gone 


TAKEN  PRISONER  BY  CUPID.  1 25 

free ;  but  the  man's  arrow,  directed  by  the  enemy  of 
souls,  struck  the  female  eagle,  and  she  drove  in  her 
death  agony  against  the  witch,  who  was  thus  pushed 
out  so  that  she  fell  far  beyond  the  rocks,  in  the  deep 
course  of  the  stream.  But  the  fiend  had  his  way,  for 
in  the  guise  of  her  lover,  who  was  an  outlaw  of  the 
forest  glades,  he  put  out  in  a  boat  from  the  far  shore 
and  drew  her  from  the  water,  and  they  floated  down 
to  the  Mad  Sprite's  Rapids,  and  through  them  un- 
scathed they  sailed  where  my  nurse  saith  no  man  had 
e'er  sailed  alive,  and  she  ne'er  was  seen  more; 
though  a  belated  woodman  told  that  he  met  at 
gloaming  a  tall,  dark  churl  leading  a  girl  into  the 
forest  from  the  river-bank,  and  she  weeping  and 
laughing  like  she  were  bewitched.  And  all  thought 
that  't  were  the  fiend,  dragging  this  witch  away  to 
far  parts  of  the  land  to  work  her  spells  again.  The 
next  gloaming,  was  found,  in  the  wood,  the  body  of 
Sir  William  Darcy,  the  judge  who  had  doomed  her 
to  the  flame,  with  three  gray  goose  shafts  in  him, 
and  his  horse  with  five.  But  now  cometh  the  most 
wondrous  of  the  fiend's  work ;  for  the  shrieve  and  the 
archer  stood  together  on  the  brink  of  the  cliff  when 
the  arrow  was  shot  at  the  girl.  There  had  been 
grievous  heavy  rains  and  the  earth  there  was  soft ; 
and  all  suddenly  the  fiend  loosed  the  sward  and 
marvellous  many  loose  stones,  and  they  slid  over 
the  crag,  carrying  the  two  men  along,  who  were 
dashed  on  the  rocks  below,  and  covered  so  deep 
with  that  which  fell  with  them  that  their  carcasses 


126  CENTURIES  APART. 

ne'er  could  be  had  for  Christian  burial.  And  much 
't  is  to  be  feared  that  the  enemy  of  souls  hath  their 
spirits  yet  in  Purgatory ;  for  they  died  unassoilzied. 
And  the  shrieve  was  Sir  Ronald  Disney,  a  most 
goodly  gentleman  and  true  knight.  But  the  soil 
and  stones  which  rushed  down  from  the  hill  above 
to  go  over  the  cliff  did  so  choke  the  runlet  that 
flowed  down  there,  that  it  broke  a  new  way  o'er  the 
crag,  and  leaped  from  its  brink  to  the  rocks  below  in 
foam  and  spray,  and  so  hath  since  been  e'er  called 
the  '  Witch's  Leap.'  " 

Just  then  a  turn  brought  them  in  sight  of  a  feathery 
cascade  among  the  great  forest-trees,  which  plunged 
a  good  two  hundred  feet  in  silvery  mist  to  the  rocky 
verge  of  the  river,  which  here  cut  its  way  through  a 
veritable  canon.  Magnificent  pines  and  spruces 
grew,  gloomy  and  grand,  on  shelves  of  the  cliff;  and 
all  about  the  spot  where  this  brook  flowed  out  from 
the  bank,  on  the  height  above  where  they  were,  pop- 
lars and  birches  waved  their  tremulous  catkins  in  the 
light  breeze.  Here  and  there  stood  majestic  oaks ; 
on  the  bank  the  grass  was  brilliantly  green,  and  the 
depth  of  the  blue  of  the  sky  was  like  that  of  Italy. 
Percy  involuntarily  drew  up  his  horse  and  gazed 
spell-bound  at  the  picture.  His  companion  watched 
him  in  puzzled  wonder;   at  last  she  spoke :  — 

"What  seest  thou?  Art  looking  for  the  witch? 
Trust  me,  she  's  ne'er  been  seen  since  that  day." 

Percy  looked  at  her  dreamily,  and  replied  half  un- 
consciously, speaking  partly  to  her,  and  partly  to 
himself,  — 


TAKEN  PRISONER  BY  CUPID.  1 27 

"I  see  the  beautiful  witch  already;  verily  she  is 
fit  to  be  the  nymph  that  should  haunt  such  a  place." 

The  girl  looked  a  little  vexed.  "  Truly  I  under- 
stand thee  not,"  she  said.  Percy  still  gazed  absently, 
enraptured  by  the  charm  of  the  scene  before  him; 
he  was  a  bit  of  an  artist,  and  the  least  bit  of  a  poet, 
and  as  such  he  contemplated  the  beauties  of  Nature. 
Suddenly  he  started. 

"  Do  you  say  that  on  this  spot  was  perpetrated 
such  an  atrocious  crime  as  the  attempted  murder  of 
an  innocent  young  girl?  "  he  asked  in  horror. 

"  And  heard  ye  not  that  she  was  a  witch  ? " 
exclaimed  the   lady,  in   great  surprise. 

"A  witch!"  he  rejoined  in  indignant  contempt; 
"do  you  mean  what  you  say?  Is  it  possible  that 
such  vile  superstitions  linger  even  here,  in  this  nine- 
teenth century,  with  all  their  hideously,  brutally  cruel 
consequences?  A  young  girl  to  be  burned  within 
the  memory  of  your  short  life  ?  "  and  he  shuddered 
again. 

The  girl  gazed  at  him,  overcome  by  his  stern  and 
bitter  mood. 

"  Indeed,  sir,"  she  said  tremulously,  "  I  meant  not 
to  have  moved  you  thus.  I  know  not  what  to  say. 
Forgive  me  for  bringing  you  hither;"  and  as  she 
turned  away  she  began  to  sob.  Percy  instantly  re- 
covered himself  and  fell  into  the  depths  of  remorse. 

"  Forgive  you  !  Forgive  me,  rather,  sweet  Lady,  for 
speaking  thus.  Indeed,  I  was  talking  to  myself,  not 
to    you;    my    feelings    carried    me    away;"    and    he 


128  CENTURIES  APART. 

sprang  from  his  horse  and  took  her  hand ;  he  felt 
as  if  he  ought  to  kneel  in  the  dust. 

"  There,  there,  sir!  "  she  said,  a  little  affrighted,  and 
yet  smiling  through  her  tears,  "  pray  mount  your  steed 
again,  and  let  us  ride  on  ;  I  was  wrong  to  have  moved 
you  by  such  a  tale.  I  see  that  our  ways  must  be 
different  from  your  ways  in  your  land.  Prithee,  sir, 
free  my  hand ;  "  but  she  did  not  draw  her  own  away. 
He  gazed  with  passionate  remorse  and  admiration 
in  her  face.  She  blushed  scarlet,  and  dropped  her 
eyes,  saying  in  low  tones,  — 

"  I  pray  you  let  us  ride  on." 

He  mounted,  and  they  rode  slowly  forward.  As 
they  passed  along  the  edge  of  the  crag,  he  detected 
plain  indications  of  a  landslide,  which  seemed  to 
have  taken  place  within  a  score  of  years;  and  the 
lady's  story  of  the  fiend's  work  was  so  far  satisfactorily 
accounted  for.  He  explained  all  this  fully  to  his 
companion  ;  she  listened  attentively  but  shook  her 
head,  saying, — 

"  Nay,  then,  kinsman,  but  you  were  not  here,  and 
I  have  held  converse  with  many  who  were  in  body 
present  at  that  time ;  so  I  cry  you  pardon  in  thinking 
that  they  must  know  best." 

"  Did  any  one  see  the  fiend?  "  he  asked. 

"  A  tall  and  dark  churl,  to  all  seeming,  stood  near 
the  spot  where  the  moving  mass  of  clay  and  stones 
broke  off,  and  saved  was  he  by  a  miracle  from  being 
hurled  along  with  it.  So  'twas  thought  after,  that  he 
was  the  fiend  in  the  shape  of  the  churl ;   leastways 


TAKEN  PRISONER  BY  CUPID.  129 

he  was  ne'er  more  seen,  although  many  were  near 
him  in  the  confusion  and  affright  of  the  happening. 
And  Father  Ambrose  held  that  he  doubtless  vanished 
in  a  flash  of  fire  and  brimstone.  But  't  is  well  we  rode 
homeward,  for  't  were  ill  courtesy  to  keep  you  longer 
from  the  noon  refection  ;  and  I  would  fain  try  another 
gallop  upon  this  matchless  steed,  the  like  of  which 
ne'er  touched  hoof  to  Northumbria." 

So  saying,  she  started  her  horse  into  a  canter,  which 
she  soon  increased  to  his  utmost  speed.  Percy  had 
much  ado  to  keep  up  with  her;  but  after  a  mile  of 
this  she  drew  up  and  watched  the  breathing  of  the 
horses. 

"  By  my  word,"  she  said,  "  they  are  as  cold  as  if 
they  had  but  ambled  !  What  rare  beasts  !  So  fiery, 
yet  so  gentle ;  so  tall  and  grand,  yet  so  blythe  to 
bestride ;  and  so  wondrous  fleet !  Methinks  I  flew 
but  a  moment  since !  Saint  Helen  speed  me,  but  I 
should  love  this  charger  were  he  mine  own  !  " 

"  He  is  your  own,  lovely  Kate  Percy,  and  therefore 
to  keep  your  word,  you  love  him.  And  I  never 
wished  myself  a  horse  before,"  added  the  American 
youth,  fervently. 

"What!  Thou 'rt  o'er  generous  and  o'er  bold, 
lad  !  "  said  the  girl,  blushing  hotly.  "  I  prithee  not 
speak  so  to  me  again;  't  were  unmaidenly  in  me 
to  list  to  such  meanings.  Is  it  like  discourse  that 
pleasureth  thy  fair  countrywomen?  But  let  us  for- 
get thy  last  words,  and  so  fain  would  I  ask  the 
meaning  of  thy  first." 

9 


130  CENTURIES  APART. 

"Just  this,  Lady  Kate  Percy.  I  love  that  horse  as 
I  never  loved  horse  before ;  he  is  a  rare  creature, 
even  in  America,  where  there  are  so  many  noble 
animals  of  his  kind.  He  saved  my  life  in  battle.  No 
gold  could  buy  him ;  but  were  he  a  thousand  times 
over  what  he  is,  he  would,  in  my  sight,  be  hardly 
worthy  to  carry  you.  Yet  being  only  what  he  is, 
still  I  know  not  the  horse  which  I  had  rather  you 
would  ride ;  so  let  him  be  your  own,  and  when  you 
are  together  speeding  over  the  moors,  give  a  kind 
thought  to  the  one  whose  happiness  it  was  to  pray 
you  to  accept  him  as  a  poor  gift." 

His  gaze  was  fixed  upon  the  girl's  face,  throughout 
the  time  that  he  was  speaking,  with  impassioned 
earnestness.  Change  after  change  flitted  over  her 
features,  as  the  white  clouds  pass  over  the  deep  blue 
sky  of  June  before  the  southwest  wind.  Her  singu- 
larly beautiful  eyes  shone  like  firelight  as  she  looked 
at  the  horses,  and  her  look  of  exultant  joy  seemed 
to  assure  Percy  that  his  gift  would  be  accepted ; 
then  the  eyes  softened  as  she  turned  them  on  him 
with  a  grateful  look  of  utter  sweetness.  But  they 
soon  dropped,  and  she  said :  — 

"  I  ween  I  ne'er  might  know  what  to  say  in  grati- 
tude ;  but,  nathless,  't  were  scarce  fitting,  I  fear,  that 
I  accept  such  priceless  offering  from  thee.  Methinks 
my  mother,  the  Countess,  would  deem  me  but  o'er 
bold;  and  what  think'st  thou  the  Earl  would  say? 
Yet  ne'er  believe,  gentle  guest,  that  Kate  Percy  recks 
but  lightly  in  this  matter.     I  would  fain  —  " 


TAKEN  PRISONER  BY  CUPID.  131 

"  Nay,  pardon  me,"  broke  in  the  young  man, 
eagerly;  "  leave  it  to  me  to  plead  with  your  mother 
and  father.  I  am  sure  they  will  not  think  me  pre- 
sumptuous in  begging  your  acceptance  of  the  horse." 

"Well,  as  you  will,"  replied  the  lady,  smiling  and 
blushing. 

They  reached  the  castle  in  due  time,  and  the  midday 
meal  was  served,  being  a  repetition  of  that  of  the 
preceding  day.  In  the  afternoon  the  Earl  rode  out 
with  Percy  to  view  the  evolutions  of  the  American 
cavalry,  which  took  place  on  the  moor.  There  was 
the  greatest  curiosity  manifested  by  all  classes  of 
people  in  the  strangers  and  their  military  movements, 
and  crowds  flocked  from  the  town,  while  parties  of 
gentlemen  and  ladies  from  castles  and  halls  within 
ten  miles  were  present.  All  these  hastened  to  pay 
their  respects  to  the  Earl,  and  were  presented  to  the 
American  officers.  The  Doctor  had  accompanied  the 
Countess  and  Lady  Kate.  When  the  drill  was  over, 
Pelham  caused  his  men  to  take  positions  in  skirmish- 
ing order,  and  thus  gave  the  knights  and  gentlemen 
an  opportunity  to  examine  the  arms,  equipment,  and 
general  appearance  of  the  troopers.  The  Captain 
and  his  officers  walked  about,  explaining  everything, 
and,  notwithstanding  the  difficulties  of  the  dialect, 
they  managed  to  make  themselves  understood  by 
their  visitors,  who  showed  throughout  great  gratifica- 
tion and  courtesy.  Pelham  then  ordered  the  firings 
to  be  executed,  and  afterward  there  was  shooting  at 
a  target  by  picked  men.     These  movements,  and  the 


132  CENTURIES  APART. 

size  and  beauty  of  the  horses  of  the  officers,  proved 
to  be  the  points  of  most  interest.  Later  in  the  day  a 
dress  parade  in  the  quadrangle  of  the  castle  closed  the 
military  exhibition. 

After  the  evening  meal,  followed  what  might  be 
called  an  informal  reception,  at  which  were  present 
many  ladies  and  gentlemen  of  the  neighboring  nobility 
and  gentry.  The  bearing  and  manner  of  these  people 
were  universally,  as  the  Doctor  remarked  to  Pelham, 
what  might  be  denominated  "  aristocratic-democratic." 
They  were  quite  at  ease  among  themselves,  yet  there 
was  a  deference  shown  to  superior  rank,  mingled  with 
an  underlying  delicate  personal  hauteur,  which  occa- 
sionally showed  a  very  ludicrous  side.  The  Doctor 
heard  a  bit  of  conversation  which  amused  him ;  he 
was  standing  somewhat  concealed  by  some  drapery, 
conversing  with  a  lady,  when  a  stout  and  testy  old 
baron,  who  had  been  attentively  observing  Captain 
Pelham,  said  to  Lord  Reginald  Percy,  — 

"  What  rank  bear  these  men  in  their  land?  " 

"  That  may  I  not  expound,  my  Lord,"  was  the  reply ; 
"  they  claim  to  be  plain  citizens,  as  they  call  them- 
selves, or  commoners;  but  thou  seest  they  might  be 
princes,  and  e'en  their  men-at-arms,  yclept  '  troopers,' 
all  are  as  clerks.  My  American  kinsman  Percy 
telleth  me  that  not  a  man  of  them  all  but  is  skilled 
in  black-letter  lore." 

"  Yea,  truly  ?  —  this  be  a  marvel,"  was  the  rejoinder ; 
"  yet  I  wonder  the  less  that  I  held  discourse  with 
certain    of  them    upon    the   moor,   and    found    their 


TAKEN  PRISONER  BY  CUPID.  1 33 

courtesy  and  knowledge  much  the  like  of  what  we 
see  to-night  in  these  gentlemen.  If  those  be  hinds, 
what  must  be  these,  their  lords?" 

Just  then  there  was  a  movement  toward  the  further 
side  of  the  room  (it  was  the  Countess's  "  bower,"  or 
salon),  and  the  conversation  ceased.  Lady  Kate 
Percy  was  observed  to  be  sitting  at  her  harp  and 
about  to  sing;  Percy  drew  near  where  he  could  watch 
her,  unseen  himself.  After  touching  her  instrument, 
she  played  a  short  prelude  with  taste  and  simplicity, 
and  sang  in  a  very  sweet  contralto  voice  this  ballad : 

THE    HARP    AND    SWORD. 

"  Give  thee  my  daughter  for  thy  bride  ?  " 
The  swarthy  Earl  laughed  loud  in  scorn  ; 
"  Dream'st  thou  that  maiden  of  her  blood 
Might  mate  with  minstrel,  lowly  born  ? 

"  When  storms  the  chough  the  eagle's  nest,"  — 
Again  the  Earl  laughed  loud  and  long,  — 
"  I  '11  crown  my  crest  with  harp  and  lute  ; 
Yea,  sell  my  daughter  for  a  song. 

"  Go,  woo  some  village  Queen  of  May, 
And  bear  her  bride  to  Nouvelle  France ; 
But  bend  not  gaze  on  noble  maid,  — 
Harpstrings  mean  pennon  were  for  lance." 

The  minstrel  raised  his  flashing  eyes 
Undaunted  to  the  dark  Earl's  face, 
"  My  Eord,  I  tell  thee  stainless  truth,  — 
If  I  offend,  I  crave  thy  grace,  — 

"  And  wert  not  for  the  minstrel's  harp. 
Forgot  would  be  the  lance's  fame  ; 
But  for  the  poet's  lyric  sung, 
Untold  were  glory,  praise,  or  shame. 


134  CENTURIES  APART. 

"  The  lute  is  e'er  the  lance's  soul; 
Her  music  lives  when  swords  are  rust. 
The  minstrel's  song  embalms  the  name 
Of  knights  whose  strong  right  arms  are  dust. 

"  And  now,  my  Lord,  for  food  and  fire, 
For  courtesy  and  generous  praise 
From  thee  and  thine,  while  listing  there 
All  kindly  to  my  humble  lays, 

"  My  deepest  thanks  are  thine ;  but  ere 
I  speak  the  boding  word  'farewell,' 
I  dare  to  breathe  a  prophecy, 
And  blythely  thus  I  sooth  foretell. 

"  Thy  daughter,  fairest  of  her  race, 

A  prince  shall  wed ;  and  mark,  my  Lord, 

Upon  her  lover's  coat  of  arms 

The  harp  shall  quarter  with  the  sword." 

The  minstrel  parted  then.     The  Earl 
Forgot  his  face,  and  name,  and  lays. 
The  sighing  maid  remembered  well,  — 
His  memory  haunted  all  her  days. 

And  now  the  King,  with  martial  mind, 
Decreed  a  solemn  tournament, 
And  summons  to  his  gallant  knights 
Through  all  the  land  eftsoon  were  sent. 

They  gathered  from  South  England's  shires, 
Arid  many  a  one  from  Nouvelle  France, 
For  glory  and  for  beauteous  dames 
To  sway  a  sword  and  break  a  lance. 

The  swarthy  Earl,  with  arm  of  steel, 
Did  his  devoir  right  blythe  and  well ; 
All  knights  went  down  before  his  lance, 
Yet  he  sat  scatheless  in  the  selle, 

Until  he  cried  in  haughty  pride, 
"  Whate'er  bold  youth  unhorseth  me, 
His  prize  shall  be  my  daughter  fair, 
Ten  thousand  crowns  her  dowry  be." 


TAKEN  PRISONER  BY  CUPID.  1 35 

Eftsoon  a  champion  appeared, 
Of  slight  withal,  but  dauntless  mien ; 
Upon  his  shield  a  harp  and  sword 
Embowered  in  lilies  pale  were  seen. 

And  when  in  furious  course  they  met, 
Their  lances'  shivers  filled  the  air. 
The  stranger  sat  his  steed  like  stone  ; 
The  Earl  lay  stretched  on  greensward  there. 

But  when  the  Knight  his  visor  raised, 
The  swarthy  Earl's  amazed  glance 
Beheld  the  minstrel  smiling  there,  — 
The  Minstrel-Prince  of  Nouvelle  France ! 

And  in  the  Earl's  broad  castle  hall 

Eftsoon  was  heard  the  marriage  bell ; 

The  harp  and  sword  rose-wreathed  were  seen,  — 

And,  friends,  there  be  no  more  to  tell. 


She  sang  the  ballad  with  exquisite  feeling,  in  a 
minor  key;  the  music  reminded  the  Americans  of 
the  Irish  songs  as  heard  at  the  present  day.  The 
entire  melody  took  in  four  verses,  so  that  what  might 
have  been  considered  monotonous  was  agreeably 
varied ;  and  the  clear,  simple,  sweet  tones  of  the 
singer,  having,  of  course,  no  culture  whatever,  gave 
a  most  charming  example  of  the  beauty  of  perfectly 
natural  singing,  unvexed  by  conventionality.  Percy, 
although  stanchly  Bostonese,  actually  sighed  with 
regret  when  the  end  came. 

As  she  finished,  the  young  gallants  crowded  around 
and  loaded  her  with  praises  and  compliments,  which 
she  received  gracefully;  but  her  eye  sought  Percy, 
who  leaned  against  a   pillar   near  with   folded  arms. 


136  CENTURIES  APART. 

Catching  his  glance  of  rapt  admiration,  she  dropped 
her  eyes  with  a  slight  flush  of  pleasure.  He  stepped 
through  the  throng  to  her  side,  and  said  in  a  low 
voice,  — 

"  I  pray  you  not  to  rise." 

"  By  'r  Lady,"  she  replied,  laughing,  "  dost  think  me 
a  swan-maiden,  that  I  can  sing  up  the  sun?  Fie,  sir, 
look  not  on  me  thus.  There,  Lady  Clara  de  Wyvill 
is  to  sing,  and  her  minstrelsy  surpasses  mine  as  the 
throstle  the  raven.     Listen  !  " 

"  Not  for  me,"  he  replied  expressively,  and  so 
it  proved.  He  heard  with  secret  impatience  several 
quite  mediaeval  ballads  chanted  by  as  many  damsels, 
all  the  while  longing  for  an  end  to  the  music  so  that 
he  might  renew  his  conversation  with  her;  but  when 
it  was  at  last  over,  the  Earl  cried  :  — 

"  Come,  my  gallants,  let  us  see  how  merrily  ye  '11 
foot  it  to  the  measure  of  a  dance.  A  hall,  gentles, 
a  hall !  " 

"  Dost  dance  in  thy  land?  "  she  asked  demurely. 

"  Ah,  would  that  I  might  here ;  but  let  me  see  the 
manner  of  your  measures  before  I  venture." 

They  stood  a  few  moments  watching  the  dance, 
which  proved  to  be  a  sort  of  Virginia  reel,  or  Roger 
de  Coverley.  Her  foot  and  eye  kept  time  with  the 
music,  and  finally,  when  a  young  knight  stepped  up 
and,  with  a  deep  reverence,  claimed  her  hand  for  a 
turn  at  it,  she  glanced  at  Percy  with  gay  raillery. 

"  Thy  comrades  are  'venturing'  with  ladies  fair; 
dost  let  them  lead  in  the  battle  as  they  do  in  revelry? 


TAKEN  PRISONER  BY  CUPID.  1 37 

We  have  a  saying,  '  Foremost  in  ladies'  bovver,  first  in 
fray,'  "  and,  laughing  saucily,  she  whirled  away  with 
her   partner. 

Percy  watched  her  graceful  and  sprightly  move- 
ments with  ill-concealed  annoyance,  which  seeing, 
she  was  moved  to  redouble  her  merry  mood,  until 
the  young  man,  in  desperation,  turned  to  a  maiden 
near,  the  same  who  had  sung,  Lady  Clara  de  Wyvill. 
She  accepted  his  invitation  to  dance  with  delight, 
and  a  triumphant  glance  at  her  less  favored  compan- 
ions, and  plainly  considered  herself  as  the  temporary 
possessor  of  a  lion.  She  was  a  brilliant  brunette, 
with  laughing  brown  eyes  and  her  full  share  of 
beauty ;  and  Percy  discovered  that  she  was  decidedly 
disposed  to  coquettishncss,  —  in  his  favor,  however. 
In  the  intervals  of  the  dance  she  displayed  quite  a 
conversational  talent,  which  the  young  man  in  his 
frame  of  mind  encouraged  to  the  uttermost.  At  the 
same  time  he  observed,  with  vast  satisfaction,  the 
cloud  which  shadowed  the  lovely  countenance  of 
Lady  Kate  Percy,  who  never  looked  at  him  once,  but 
saw,  all  the  better  for  that,  everything  that  passed 
between  him  and  Lady  Clara. 

At  last  the  dance  ended,  but  the  "dark  ladye " 
had  no  idea  of  abandoning  her  supposed  conquest, 
and  entered  into  a  long  scries  of  questions  respect- 
ing America,  the  most  pressing  of  which  were  some 
concerning  the  beauty  and  raiment  of  the  ladies. 
To  these  queries,  of  course,  Percy  returned  patriotic 
but  politic  replies;    all  the  while  wishing  Lady  Clara 


138  CENTURIES  APART. 

in  America  where  she  could  investigate  for  herself, 
as  he  observed  Kate  Percy  alone  and  pensive.  At 
last  he  managed  to  excuse  himself  on  some  flimsy 
plea  and  escaped,  being  received  by  the  haughty 
beauty  whom  he  sought,  with  a  kindly  indifference 
which  she  thought  fit  to  assume,  much  to  his 
chagrin. 

"  Ah,  kinsman,"  she  said,  smiling,  "  you  '  ventured  ' 
at  last,  didst  not?  Methought  I  saw  thee  once 
dancing  with   Mistress   Evelyn  Gray;     was 't    not?" 

"Not  so,  my  Lady;  since  I  was  unhappy  enough 
to  have  had  you  stolen  away  from  me,  I  tried  to  drown 
sorrow  in  the  liquid  brown  eyes  of  Lady  Clara  de 
Wyvill,  as  you  probably  observed." 

"What!  My  dear  Clara?"  cried  she,  in  well-dis- 
sembled surprise;  "  I  doubt  she  led  thee  a  measure, 
by 'r  Lady,  or  I'm  no  Percy.  Nay,  then,  I  needs 
must  go;  the  Countess,  my  mother,  beckoneth. 
But  mark  thee  this,  cousin,"  she  added,  with  saucy 
significance,  as  she  turned  to  go,  —  "remember,  hap 
what  may,  that  old  adage  which  you,  belike,  have  as 
well  m  America :  '  Faint  heart  ne'er  won  fair  lady,' " 
and,  blushing  and  laughing,  she  ran  away  to  where 
her  mamma  was  in  consultation  with  Lord  Reginald. 

The  young  man  started  at  her  words  and  manner, 
and  fell  into  the  absent,  dreaming,  "  far-away  "  state 
which  so  often  possessed  him.  He  was  in  a  few 
moments  brought  back  to  life  and  this  world  by 
Lord  Reginald  Percy,  who  was  standing  before  him 
with  an  expression  of  surprise  on  his  features,  and 
saying,  — 


TAKEN  PRISONER  BY  CUPID.  1 39 

"What  holds  thee,  cousin,  in  fairyland?  Hath 
the  Lady  Clara  bewitched  thee?" 

"  Pardon  me,  my  Lord,"  answered  Percy,  con- 
fusedly, "I  saw  no  one,  I  heard  you  not — I  —  " 

"  Well,  kinsman,"  rejoined  the  Baron,  laughing, 
"  since  thou  'rt  returned  in  safety  and  reason  to 
Northumbria  again,  I  have,  in  behalf  of  the  Countess, 
my  mother,  a  boon  to  ask." 

"  Indeed,"  replied  Percy,  "  whatever  it  may  be,  it 
must  surely  be  a  pleasure  to  grant  it." 

"  I  have  told  my  mother  of  the  minstrelsy  with 
which  you  gentlemen  entertained  the  Prince  at 
Windsor,  some  two  sennights  since;  will  it  please 
you  to  give  us  the  happiness  of  hearing  you  here?" 

"  Assuredly,  my  friend.  If  you  will  excuse  me, 
I  will  at  once  call  the  gentlemen  together."  And 
Percy  sought  out  Captain  Pelham,  Mr.  Russell,  and 
Mr.  Tracy,  his  lieutenants,  and  then  went  for  Dr. 
Bruce.  The  latter  was  possessed  of  a  deep,  rich,  bass 
voice;  Mr.  Russell's  was  a  very  fair  tenor,  and  the 
others  good  baritones.  Percy  had  formerly  served 
in  the  regiment,  and  the  Doctor  had  been  its  surgeon  ; 
and  they  had  formed  a  fine  quintet,  and  sung  much 
together  in  winter  quarters  the  previous  season. 
Their  singing  at  the  King's  palace  and  at  Windsor, 
as  well  as  at  several  other  places,  had  created  the 
greatest  excitement. 

Mr.  Russell  directed  the  music,  and  a  selection  was 
made  from  German  and  American  songs. 

It  would  be  impossible  to  describe  the  effect  pro- 


140  CENTURIES  APART. 

duced  by  their  music.  Entirely  new  as  it  was  to  the 
people  among  whom  they  were,  it  might  be  supposed 
that  their  thorough  lack  of  education,  or  of  compre- 
hension of  it,  would  have  prevented  a  proper  appre- 
ciation of  the  singing;  but  Percy  says  in  his  journal 
that  the  contrary  was  the  case.  The  guests  abso- 
lutely lost  their  self-control,  and  when  after  the 
astonished  admiration  which  followed  the  rendering 
of  the  first  two  songs,  the  "  Star-Spangled  Banner" 
was  sung,  the  enthusiasm  broke  bounds,  and  a  gen- 
uine English  hurrah  made  the  rafters  ring.  More 
classical  music  seemed  to  be  as  fully  enjoyed,  al- 
though, of  course,  not  so  well  understood  ;  and  when 
the  Americans  finished  with  the  "  Soldier's  Farewell," 
tears  in  plenty  from  the  ladies,  and  a  kind  of  wild, 
martial  murmur  from  the  men,  went  beyond  even 
the  earlier  and  more  boisterous  manifestations  of 
approbation. 

The  Americans  were  overwhelmed  with  invitations 
to  visit  castles,  towers,  and  seats  in  the  county  about 
Ravensclyffe,  but  felt  obliged  to  decline  all,  owing  to 
the  shortness  of  their  leave,  —  to  the  evident  great 
regret  of  their  new  friends- 
Percy  had  but  one  more  opportunity  to  speak  to 
Lady  Kate  that  night,  and  he  then  found  her  in  a 
very  subdued  frame  of  mind,  far  more  soft  and  gentle 
than  she  had  been. 

"  Our  guests  all  tarry  with  us  this  night,"  she  said, 
"  that  they  be  ready  for  the  hunt  betimes,  which  the 
Earl  holds  in  your  honor  on  the  morrow.     As  't  is  for 


TAKEN  PRISONER  BY  CUPID.  1 41 

me,  in  behalf  of  the  Countess,  to  see  them  well 
bestowed,  't  is  meet  I  bid  you  a  fair  good-night,  as 
a  light  refection  is  for  gentlemen  in  the  hall.  The 
ladies  take  loving-cup  here.  I  see  the  Earl  awaits 
you.  But  ere  you  go,  I  give  you  my  hand  on  't  that 
I  ne'er  dreamed  to  hear  such  minstrelsy  as  you  and 
your  friends  have  rung  in  our  ears  to-night.  I  thank 
you  heartily,  cousin,"  —  and  she  extended  her  hand, 
which  Percy  carried  respectfully,  but  rapturously,  to 
his  lips.  "  There,  farewell,"  she  said  hurriedly, 
drawing  the  hand  away;  "  I  ride  with  you  to  the  hunt 
in  the  morning." 

"  Ah,  delightful !  "  cried  Percy,  "  and  you  ride  your 
bay  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes,"  she  replied  gratefully;  "  but  not  mine; 
that  were  too  much;  "  and  as  the  Earl  came  up,  she 
ran  away. 

"  Come,  cousin,"  said  the  Earl,  "  a  bit  of  venison 
and  a  night-cup  of  spiced  wine,  and  then  good 
slumber,  to  rest  for  the  morrow's  hunt." 

As  they  walked  away,  Percy  said  :  — 

"  My  Lord,  I  have  a  great  favor  to  ask :  it  is  that 
you  approve  of  what  I  have  done,  and  which  cannot 
be  undone;  I  have  made  bold  to  beg  your  daughter, 
who  rode  the  bay  horse  to-day,  to  ride  him  hence- 
forth as  her  own.  Do  not  deny  this  poor  boon,  I 
pray." 

"  What,  what,  kinsman  !"  cried  the  astonished  no- 
bleman, "  that  were  too  much  !  Nay,  nay,  that  may 
not  be;   how  farcth  a  soldier  without  his  charger?  " 


142  CENTURIES  APART. 

"  My  Lord,  I  brought  three  horses  on  this  expe- 
dition. I  left  one  at  the  camp ;  I  shall  never  take 
but  that  one  on  the  ship  again.  I  value  them  too 
highly  to  subject  them  to  the  dangers  of  another  long 
voyage,  as  the  probability  is  that  they  would  die  of 
confinement  before  we  should  arrive  at  our  destina- 
tion. I  am  sorry,  my  Lord,  to  put  my  gifts  on  that 
ground,  for  I  wanted  the  pleasure  of  manifesting  my 
appreciation  of  the  kindness  and  hospitality  of  your- 
self and  —  and  your  family.  I  shall  never  take  those 
horses  out  of  your  stables ;  and  I  pray  you  to  allow 
Lady  Kate  to  accept  the  bay,  and  I  meant  from  the 
first  mounting  of  the  black  by  yourself,  that  he  should 
carry  you  as  long  as  you  will  condescend  to  ride  him. 
May  that  be  many  years  !  " 

The  Earl  stopped  short  and  turned  squarely  upon 
his  guest. 

"Kinsman,"  he  said,  after  recovering  the  breath  of 
which  surprise  had  almost  deprived  him,  "  those 
horses  here  are  worth  an  earl's  ransom.  Think  me 
not  discourteous,  but  how  shall  I  find  words  to  answer 
your  bounty?  But  I  see  in  your  eyes  that  'twere 
offence  if  I  said  '  no  '  to  you  ;  yet  look  not  for  thanks 
in  words,  for  language  faileth  me  at  need." 

"  My  Lord,  speak  not  so.  You  do  me  the  greatest 
pleasure  in  granting  what  I  ask." 

The  Earl  was  silent,  and  taking  the  young  man's 
arm  they  entered  the  hall,  where,  after  partaking  of  a 
substantial  venison  pasty,  washed  down  by  a  cup  of 
spiced  wine,  the  company  retired  for  the  night. 


CHAPTER    VI. 

THE   HUNT. 

Merry  it  is  in  the  good  green-wood, 

When  the  mavis  and  merle  are  singing, 
When  the  deer  sweeps  by,  and  the  hounds  are  in  cry, 

And  the  hunter's  horn  is  ringing. 

The  Lady  of  the  Lake. 

The  next  morning  the  guests  were  awakened  shortly 
after  sunrise,  which  seemed  to  Percy  to  come  imme- 
diately after  he  had  managed  to  lose  himself  in  sleep. 
I  am  of  the  opinion  that  he  lay  awake  dreaming  of 
Kate  Percy;  he  confesses  in  his  diary  that  he  lay 
asleep  dreaming  of  her.  Hastily  dressing  and  hurry- 
ing to  the  hall,  he  was  received  with  a  shout  of  wel- 
come and  a  little  raillery  upon  his  tardiness.  Break- 
fast was  soon  finished,  at  which  he  had  observed  the 
presence  of  several  ladies  in  riding-dress,  prominent 
among  whom  was  the  object  of  his  adoration,  looking 
as  fresh  as  the  dawn.  The  party,  consisting  of  many 
of  the  young  men  and  several  ladies,  then  hastened 
out  to  mount  for  the  day's  sport.  Percy  took  the 
first  opportunity  to  place  himself  at  Lady  Kate's  side, 
and  found  her  as  piquant  and  spicy  as  the  brisk, 
frosty  air;  she  condescended  to  say,  however,  that 
the  music   of  the  American   gentlemen  had   floated 


144  CENTURIES  APART. 

through  her  sleep  all  night,  "  when,"  she  continued 
a  bit  petulantly,  "  I  had  better  have  been  sleeping 
and  resting  in  preparation  for  a  hunt  on  my  superb 
courser.  For,"  she  added  gracefully,  giving  him  her 
hand,  "  my  father  hath  permitted  me  to  accept  your 
splendid  gift;  for  the  which  my  poor  thanks  are  too 
deep  to  be  lightly  spoken,  cousin." 

The  party  had  proceeded  a  few  miles,  when  Lord 
Reginald  rode  up  to  the  Captain  and  his  fair  com- 
panion, saying:  — 

"  Kate,  't  is  fitting  that  the  ladies  and  huntsmen 
await  us  at  Holy  Rill  Cloisters;  we  will  join  you  in 
two  hours.  Nay,  pout  not,  my  Lady;  'tis  of  vast 
consequence  that  this  be  so.  Kinsman,  will  you  ride 
with  me?" 

Percy  sighed  at  this  interruption  of  his  tete-a-tete, 
but  consented  with  as  good  grace  as  he  might;  and 
they  rode  rapidly  away,  keeping  up  a  good  pace 
until  they  entered  a  dark  evergreen  forest,  at  the 
entrance  to  which,  by  a  narrow  path,  he  noted  with 
surprise  a  mounted  huntsman,  evidently  posted  there. 
A  quarter  of  a  mile  further  on,  at  a  turn  of  this  path,, 
was  a  second  like  sentry;  a  short  distance  beyond 
they  suddenly  emerged  upon  an  open  glade  of  most 
picturesque  and  beautiful  character,  having  a  small 
stream  winding  along  a  rocky  bed,  flashing  here  and 
there  in  the  sunbeams,  and  then  burying  itself  in  the 
shadows  of  the  black-green,  sombre  firs.  A  slight 
opening  to  the  south  showed  a  rocky  height  beyond, 
upon   the  extreme  peak  of  which  sat,  like  a  statue, 


THE  HUNT.  145 

another  horseman.  But  what  surprised  Percy  the 
most  was  to  find  this  glen  peopled  with  scores  of 
gentlemen,  some  sitting  their  horses,  some  standing 
or  reclining  upon  the  greensward.  Among  them 
the  Captain  noted  the  guests  of  the  preceding  even- 
ing, and  also  several  chiefs  of  the  mountain  clans  in 
their  peculiar  dress ;  of  these  the  most  conspicuous 
was  the  Lord  Dacre,  or,  called  by  his  clan  name, 
Ruval  Ben-Ardlac,  the  same  who  had  met  Lord 
Reginald  and  his  guests  in  the  mountain  passes. 
The  party  consisted  of  men  of  middle  age  in  a  few 
instances,  but  the  most  of  them  were  young  knights. 
Sir  Harry  Percy  was  engaged  in  excited  conversa- 
tion with  a  gentleman  of  striking  appearance,  in  the 
centre  of  a  group  near  by.  All  who  were  sitting  rose 
when  Lord  Percy  and  his  friend  entered  the  glade, 
and  a  shout  of  welcome  broke  forth,  as  the  whole 
assemblage  gathered  round  him.  Immediately  the 
grooms  holding  horses  moved  away  out  of  earshot, 
and  Lord  Reginald  began  a  short  address. 

"  My  Lords  and  gentlemen,  I  wish  joy  to  you  that 
our  purpose  not  only  holdeth,  but  the  execution 
must  perforce  take  place  with  ne'er  an  unnecessary 
hour's  delay." 

There  was  a  shout  of  approval  at  this.  He  went 
on :  "  It  behooveth  us  to  muster  our  array  as  early 
as  may  be,  to  be  ready  for  their  Lordships  of  Angus, 
Rothesay,  and  Hamilton.  These  be  already  on  the 
march,  and  will  reach  Tweedmouth  in  three  days' 
time,   four   thousand  strong.      The   mountain   chiefs 

10 


146  CENTURIES  APART. 

have  lighted  the  fiery  cross,  and  will  join  us  at  Cal- 
don  Hill ;  his  Grace's  vassals  are  in  arms  at  Otter- 
bourne  Castle." 

"  Long  live  his  Grace !  "  was  the  shout  that  broke 
forth  at  this ;  but  it  was  immediately  changed  to, 
"Long  live  King  Alfred !  Down  with  Henry  Plan- 
tagenet !  " 

"  Soft,  gentlemen !  There  might  be  those  in  the 
forest  who  are  not  of  our  party." 

"  But  not  in  this  assemblage,  my  Lord,"  cried  a 
fiery  young  man  in  the  front  rank  of  the  hearers, 
"  or  he  ne'er  might  leave  us  with  his  tongue  in 's 
head." 

"  It  may  be  so,  Sir  Gerald,"  replied  the  Baron, 
laughing;  "but  'tis  best  we  were  discreet,  nor 
lightly  betray  ourselves,  especially  as  I  tell  ye  I  have 
this  morning  news  that  his  Lordship  of  Sussex,  push- 
ing fast  for  the  North,  hath  reached  Severn  Fords, 
and  Willoughby  musters  the  powers  of  Yorkshire 
and  North  Devon  to  join  him." 

There  broke  forth  a  howl  of  execration  at  this. 

"Yes,  gentlemen,  't  is  but  too  true;  North  Devon 
hath  but  played  with  us,  and  is  now  in  arms  for 
Henry  Plantagenet.  'T  is  well  we  meet  them  as  they 
enter  the  fens  of  the  White  Forest,  as  they  can  scarce 
handle  their  guns  in  the  defiles." 

Then  followed  reports  of  the  number  of  lances, 
archers,  and  arquebusiers  which  each  man  present 
could  bring  into  the  field.  Percy  noticed  that  the 
strength  of  the  last-mentioned  arm  was  very  light  in 


THE  HUNT.  147 

comparison  with  the  other  two  ;  but  six  cannon  were 
apparently  available.  Further  arrangements  were 
completed,  and  then  the  Baron  said,  "  And  now, 
gentlemen,  we  hunt  the  stag  to-day.  The  gathering 
place  is  Tweedmouth;  the  time,  three  days  onward, 
and  in  a  sennight  I  hope  we  be  hunting  the  minions 
of  Sussex  through  the  fens  of  White  Forest.  Then 
we  march  on  South  London,  and  the  tyrant's  head 
falleth.  Meanwhile  let  us  by  different  paths  reach 
Holy  Rill  Cloisters,  where  the  huntsmen  await  us." 

A  wild  huzza  replied,  but  this  time  without  words; 
and  the  concourse,  separating,  rode  out  of  the  glade 
by  different  ways.  A  horn  was  blown  to  call  in  the 
sentinels,  and  Percy  went  with  Lord  Reginald,  by  the 
path  through  which  they  had  come. 

The  Captain  was  silently  pondering  over  the  singu- 
lar meeting  at  which  he  had  been  an  innocent,  but 
unwilling,  participant.  He  felt  very  uncomfortable, 
for  he  recollected  that  the  Americans  were  in  South 
England  as  the  guests  of  the  nation,  or  rather  of  the 
King,  and  it  was  a  matter  involving  the  highest  im- 
propriety that  he,  a  trusted  aid  and  friend  of  the 
American  commander,  should  have  given  the  sanction 
of  his  presence  to  a  meeting  of  conspirators  against 
the  throne.  On  the  other  hand,  he  was  personally 
the  guest  of  the  Earl  of  Northumberland,  who  was 
evidently  a  prominent  member  of  the  conspiracy, 
and  his  eldest  son  a  leader  among  the  plotters ;  and 
he  deeply  in  love  with  the  Earl's  daughter!  While 
revolving  in  his  mind  how  he  should  express  himself 


148  CENTURIES  APART. 

on  the  subject  to  Lord  Percy,  the  latter,  who  had 
also  been  ruminating,  addressed  him:  — 

"  Cousin  Percy,  you  live  in,  and  fight  for,  a  land 
of  liberty;  your  nation's  breath  was  first  drawn  in 
resistance  to  tyrants.  I  wish  I  had  the  politic  grace 
with  which  what  I  would  say  should  be  broached ; 
but  I  am  but  a  blunt  soldier,  and  may  not  honey  my 
words ;  so  I  '11  e'en  attack  the  keep  at  once.  You 
are  a  trusted  and  well-beloved  officer  of  your  chief's 
household,  and  your  say  hath,  as  I  know  well,  great 
weight  with  him.  Now  cometh  the  meat  of  the  nut. 
If  you  will  well  persuade  your  General  to  make  com- 
mon cause  with  us  in  this  our  war  against  the  tyrant, 
and  lead  his  army  against  South  London,  in  aid  of 
the  lords  of  the  Western  marches,  who  will  strike  at 
the  King's  main  array  as  soon  as  may  be  after  we 
rout  Sussex,  you  can  have  what  guerdon  you  may 
ask  in  treasure  and  friendship.  Or,  better  than  that, 
if  you  will  all  abide  with  us  here  in  South  England, 
there  shall  be  lordships  and  baronies  enow  for  every 
officer  in  your  army,  an  earldom  for  yourself,  a  duke- 
dom for  your  General.  And  ye  shall  have  wives  from 
among  our  fairest,"  added  the  Baron,  with  a  keen 
glance  at  Percy.  The  young  man  flushed,  and  his 
heart  for  a  moment  beat  so  that  he  could  almost  hear  it. 

"  What  say  you?  "  pursued  Lord  Reginald,  watch- 
ing him  closely. 

"  My  Lord,"  replied  Percy,  after  a  pause  in  which 
he  collected  himself  to  reply  judiciously  to  the  re- 
markable proposal,  "you  have  made  me  an  astound- 


THE   HUNT. 


149 


ing  proposition.  Do  you  think  that  I  could  listen 
for  a  moment  to  what  would  be  considered,  in  this 
age  of  the  world,  a  most  heinous  breach  of  interna- 
tional comity  and  —  I  must  say  it,  even  if  it  offend 
you  —  a  piece  of  outrageous  ingratitude  toward 
those  who  have  welcomed  and  sheltered  us?  My 
Lord,  if  we  yielded  to  your  offer,  and  took  a  part 
willingly  in  your  war,  we  should  on  returning  to  our 
country  be  tried  by  court-martial  for  what  would  be 
held  a  capital  national  crime,  and  probably  our 
higher  officers,  if  not  all  of  us,  be  shot  or  hanged. 
Such  is  international  usage  now.  And  as  to  remain- 
ing here  to  become  barons  and  knights,  our  very 
army  would  mutiny,  and  refuse  to  follow  us  to  such 
a  consummation.  My  Lord,  let  this  be  as  a  dream, 
I  beg;  I  pray  you  let  me  hear  no  more  of  it. 
Should  General  Vaughn  know  of  my  being  present 
at  a  meeting  of  conspirators  against  the  government 
here,  I  should  be  placed  in  arrest  instantly,  and 
cashiered,  perhaps  even  executed ;  for  he  is  in 
supreme  power  now,  far  away  as  we  are  from  the 
jurisdiction  of  our  President.  I  do  not  know  that  I 
should  not  be  immediately  handed  over  to  the  King 
for  punishment.  I  am  not  sure  that  honor  and 
etiquette  do  not  demand  my  reporting  this  matter 
at  once  to  General  Vaughn ;  but  be  at  ease  as 
regards  that,  I  give  you  my  sacred  word  that  I  will 
guard  your  secret  if  it  costs  me  my  life." 

The  Baron  had  frowned  darkly  as  he  listened  ;   as 
the  Captain  ended  he  broke  forth  in  furious  sarcasm:  ' 


ISO  CENTURIES  APART. 

"  For  which  boon  I  opine  I  have  to  thank  your 
love  for  my  sister?  Nay,  you  need  start  not  and 
blush,  foolish  boy;  thy  cheeks  be  like  fire.  But 
an  thou  listenest  to  me,  she  is  thine,  and  a  fair  earl- 
dom beside ;  for  surely,  with  help  from  the  Ameri- 
can host,  there  be  no  doubt  of  our  triumph.  And 
methinks  those  who  exist  only  because  they  de- 
stroyed tyranny  in  their  own  land,  should  be  blythe 
to  help  their  friends  who  struggle  for  the  precious 
boon  of  liberty  in  other  climes." 

Percy  was  astounded  at  the  discovery  of  his  pas- 
sion ;  he  felt  himself  in  a  very  bad  predicament. 
At  length  he  said,  — 

"  How  came  you,  my  Lord,  to  suppose  for  a 
moment  that  such  a  proposal  could  be  entertained 
by  myself  or  my  chief  ?  " 

"  It  hath  been  talked  over  much  the  last  two 
sennights  by  our  leaders;  and  'twas  thought  that 
you  would  not  hesitate,  like  true  knights  and  brave 
warriors,  to  help  put  an  end  to  this  reign  of  blood 
and  cruelty,  the  enormities  of  which  break  forth 
every  short  while.  There  have  been  further  behead- 
ings of  some  of  the  best  in  the  realm  on  Tower  Hill. 
Now,  hark  ye  further,  and  this  must  fire  thy  zeal,  an 
thou  'rt  a  true  man.  The  King  meaneth  to  lull  thy 
General  to  secure  trust  in  his  hospitality,  by  lavish 
attentions  and  seeming  kindness.  The  General  and 
high  officers  are  to  be,  in  good  time,  invited  away  to 
distant  castles,  each  being  importuned  to  take  as 
large  a  retinue  from  your  army  as  may  be,  in  order 


THE  HUNT.  151 

to  weaken  your  array;  then  when  the  principal 
officers  shall  be  far  distant,  they  and  their  trains 
are  to  be  treacherously  assassinated,  and  a  huge 
power  is  as  treacherously  to  assail  your  camp  and 
destroy  your  army.  None  are  to  be  spared  except 
those  cunning  in  working  your  engines  and  machin- 
ery; and  they  will  be  forced  to  teach  the  use  of  all 
these  and  your  ships,  by  torture  if  needs  be,  to  the 
King's  minions.  Nay,  start  not  ;  the  time  is  yet 
far  enow  away  for  these  things  to  be  done.  But  the 
King  hath  sworn  in  secret  council  (I  know  well 
whereof  I  speak ;  I  have  a  trusted  friend  therein), 
that  Yuletide  shall  not  see  a  living  American  in 
South  England,  except  as  slaves,  and  your  ships 
and  arms  shall  be  his.  Such  is  his  plan,  and  such 
the  outcome  of  his  hospitality  which  you  vaunt  so 
highly.  Now,  on  our  part,  we  propose  to  make 
you  loving  friends  and  allies,  and  with  guerdon  for 
your  friendship  and  assistance  which  would  be 
worth  the  acceptance  of  princes.  What  say  you 
now  ?  " 

"  I  say  that  it  is  for  me  and  my  escort  to  march 
without  delay  for  our  camp,  to  put  the  General  on 
his  guard,  and  to  prepare  for  our  defence  until  we  can 
depart  from  such  a  nest  of  vipers  as  the  King's  adher- 
ents and  loyal  vassals  would  seem  from  your  story 
to  be." 

"  And  meet  his  Majesty's  Lieutenant  upon  the  road, 
the  Lord  Sussex,  who  would  overwhelm  and  destroy 
your   handful  of  men-at-arms  at  a  mouthful,   brave 


152  CENTURIES  APART. 

and  well  armed  with  splendid  weapons  as  you  be. 
Nay,  then,  my  young  knight-errant,  can  a  score  or 
two  fight  ten  thousand,  led  on  by  warriors  of  name 
and  skill  whose  honor  would  be  forever  gone  if  a  man 
of  you  escaped?  " 

"But,"  said  Percy,  "  they  would  not  dare  to  attack 
us  now ;    our  destruction  would  cost  the  King  dear." 

"  Do  you  suppose  it  would  be  known  to  your  Gen- 
eral for  weeks?  Meantime  the  King's  plans  for  the 
success  of  his  treachery  could  be  carried  out." 

Percy  was  greatly  troubled.     At  length  he  said  : 

"  But,  my  Lord,  we  could  return  by  the  road  we 
came  ;  the  army  of  Sussex  takes  the  Norman 
Way." 

"  Ay,  but  know  ye  the  mountain  paths?  An  I  let 
ye  go  now,  would  Ben-Ardlac  help  ye  along?  And 
if  you  escape  Sussex's  power,  follows  there  not  the 
King  himself  for  a  long  distance  upon  the  Norman 
Way,  through  the  marches  of  Kent,  before  he 
turneth  off  to  encounter  the  Western  lords  in  West 
Sussex?  " 

"  My  Lord  of  Northumbria,  or  his  son,  would 
scarcely  permit  their  guests  to  go  unguided  through 
the  hills,  or  allow  them  to  be  impeded  in  their 
journey  toward  the  camp  where  honor  and  duty  call 
them,"  replied  Percy,  coldly.  "  And,  my  Lord,  an 
American  soldier,  be  his  name  Percy  or  other,  holds 
honor  and  duty  as  his  watchwords,  although  he  talks 
little  about  them.  Would  you,  Reginald  Percy,  you, 
who  are  son  and  heir  of  an  earl  who,  I  have  been 


THE  HUNT.  153 

assured,  is  the  embodiment  of  these  sentiments  in 
this  land  beyond  any  other  man  (and  you  must  in- 
herit and  bear  his  character  after  him),  —  would  you, 
I  say,  give  your  sister  to  a  man  who  trailed  those 
sentiments  in  the  dust,  in  destruction  of  his  con- 
science and  soul?  I  reply  for  you,  that  you  would 
first  die  smiling  on  the  rack." 

The  Baron  turned  scarlet  ;  at  length  he  said, 
"  But  it  seemeth  to  me  that  both  your  interest  and 
safety  —  nay,  your  existence  —  depend  upon  your 
warring  against  the  Plantagenet;  and  if  this  be  so 
we  should  be  blythe  to  have  you  for  friends  and 
allies." 

"  It  is  most  certain,"  replied  the  Captain,  "  that  if 
we  are  called  upon  to  fight  for  life  where  we  were 
invited  as  guests,  we  shall  not  hesitate ;  nor  shall  we 
fight  with  the  less  relish  that  we  thus  help  our  friends 
to  crush  such  a  tyranny.  But  are  you  most  sure, 
my  Lord,  that  you  've  not  been  misinformed  in  this 
matter?  " 

"  I  will  give  you  proof  in  a  few  moments  that  will 
assure  you,"  replied  the  Baron.  "  And  now,"  he  con- 
tinued, coloring  slightly,  "  I  will  confess  that  your 
chief  knows  already  of  the  King's  plot,  and  hath 
taken  guard  accordingly;  but  he  hath  not  taxed 
the  King  with  his  treachery,  preferring  to  prepare 
against  it,  and  thus  embarrass  Henry  Plantagenet. 
But,  by  Saint  Edward,  I  understand  not  your 
scruples;  in  war,  if  I  know  I  am  to  be  assailed,  I 
forestall   mine  enemy  by  falling  foul  of  him  first,   if 


154  CENTURIES  APART. 

such  a  thing  be  in  the  power  of  man.  And  I  had 
thought  to  see  you  not  slow  to  further  our  wishes, 
sin'  it  might  comport  not  only  both  with  the  safety 
of  your  army  and  your  hatred  of  tyranny,  but  with 
that  which  standeth  not  least  in  the  estimation  of 
a  young  gallant,  the  smile  of  his  lady-love." 

This  repeated  reference  by  Lord  Reginald  to 
Percy's  sentiment  toward  his  sister,  embarrassed  and 
annoyed  the  young  man  exceedingly.  He  was 
astonished  at  the  indelicacy  of  the  Baron  in  speak- 
ing as  he  had  on  the  subject,  the  first  time  in  angry 
sarcasm,  but  his  following  it  up  in  cold  blood  was 
still  more  unpalatable.  Was  it  permissible  etiquette 
to  speak  thus  plainly  in  South  England? 

He  was  intensely  chagrined  to  find  that  he  himself 
had  evidently  been  so  transparent  in  his  manifesta- 
tions. "  Can  it  be,"  he  thought,  "  that  I  have  worn 
my  heart  so  conspicuously  on  my  sleeve  as  to  have 
had  the  feelings  recorded  there  read  like  the  ABC 
of  a  child's  primer?  And  does  this  man  not  hesitate 
to  propose,  in  effect,  selling  his  sister  to  a  stranger 
in  exchange  for  an  influence  which  he  believes  would 
lead  to  actions  on  our  part  favorable  to  the  further- 
ance of  his  own  schemes?" 

"  My  Lord,"  said  he,  at  length,  "  I  confess  myself 
greatly  surprised  at  your  having,  now  three  times 
during  this  conversation,  spoken  of  a  sentiment  which 
you  claim  that  I  entertain  toward  Lady  Kate  Percy. 
A  matter  of  such  delicacy  among  us  would  hardly 
be  permitted  to  become  subject  of  talk  in  the  manner 


THE  HUNT.  155 

in  which  you  have  introduced  it.  Since,  however, 
you  have  so  openly  spoken  of  this,  I  will  frankly  avow 
my  love  for  your  sister.  I  am  aware  that  you  may 
think  it  presumptuous  for  a  simple  soldier  like  myself 
to  entertain  such  feelings  toward  an  illustrious  maiden 
of  such  exquisite  loveliness  and  exalted  rank.  I  never 
dreamed  that  I  was  betraying  myself  in  any  way,  and, 
to  tell  you  the  truth,  I  was,  and  am,  anxious  to  return 
to  the  castle,  thank  the  Earl  and  Countess  for  most 
kind  and  unbounded  hospitality,  and  bid  you  all  fare- 
well, returning  at  once  to  the  army.  I  cannot  endure 
further  to  entertain  hopes  that  must,  from  the  neces- 
sities of  the  case,  be  entirely  fruitless;  for  I  am  in- 
volved in  war,  and  expect  that  our  armament  will 
shortly  be  ready  to  put  to  sea  again  and  proceed  to 
the  country  to  which  we  are  ordered,  where  the 
fighting  will  be  severe,  and  very  probably  end  the 
days  of  many  of  us. 

"But  I  desire  to  ask  you  how  you  knew  that  I 
encouraged  such  a  sentiment?" 

"  I  cry  you  pardon,"  replied  the  Baron,  dryly,  "  if 
I  have  lacked  courtesy  in  speaking  of  your  state  of 
mind.  'T  is  surely  not  an  unusual  or  blameworthy 
thing  for  gallants  to  fall  in  love,  especially  with  so 
fair  a  maiden  as  I  must  allow  my  sister  to  be.  You 
are  not  the  first  who  hath  been  in  like  case.  But  't  is 
one  thing  to  yield  heart  to  the  charms  of  Kate  Percy  ; 
't  is  quite  another  to  come  to  the  wooing  of  the 
daughter  of  the  Earl  of  Northumberland. 

"  But  to  answer  your  question  as  to  how  I  knew  of 


156  CENTURIES  APART. 

your  love,  I  will  ask  another,  to  be  in  fashion  with 
you  Yankees,  as  I  have  heard  ye  yclept;  and  my 
question  is  one  of  the  proverbs  of  our  land  :  '  Doth  a 
man  need  a  candle  to  see  the  midnight  sun?  ' " 

Percy  bit  his  lip  in  deep  vexation,  thinking  to 
himself  that  he  must  have  been  as  a  glass  to  look 
through;  but  he  realized  that  the  Baron  was  watch- 
ing him  closely,  and  resumed  a  mien  as  indifferent  as 
possible. 

In  a  few  moments  more  the  forest  path  turned, 
and  they  came  out  on  an  open  glade  by  a  small 
stream,  upon  the  bank  of  which  stood  a  long,  irreg- 
ular building  of  Gothic  architecture,  surrounded  by 
high  walls.  In  the  open  wood  and  on  the  meadow 
beyond  were  huntsmen,  with  a  pack  of  hounds  lying 
about  or  straining  in  the  leash  ;  while,  scattered  here 
and  there,  were  the  gentlemen  composing  the  party 
which  had  come  from  the  morning  rendezvous  in 
the  forest.  Sir  Harry  Percy  was  standing  by  the 
side  of  his  horse,  with  a  number  of  his  friends,  con- 
versing with  a  man  in  the  uniform  of  an  American 
officer.  Beyond  him,  in  the  edge  of  the  wood,  six 
American  cavalrymen  in  charge  of  a  sergeant,  stood 
by  their  horses  or  sat  upon  the  turf. 

"  Yonder  are  Holy  Rill  Cloisters,"  remarked  the 
Baron,  "  and  there  wait  the  ladies  to  join  the  chase. 
Over  against  us  standeth  a  gentleman  from  your 
army,  with,  methinks,  news  for  you." 

Percy  rode  forward,  and  the  officer  came  to  meet 
him.  "  Hallo,  old  man !  "  was  the  new-comer's  Yankee 
greeting,  with  a  hearty  handshake. 


THE  HUNT.  157 

"  Great  Jove,  Warren,"  exclaimed  Percy,  "  I  am 
delighted  to  see  you  !  But  what  brings  you  so  un- 
expectedly? "  he  added  uneasily,  for  the  recollection 
of  the  Baron's  words  came  to  him. 

"Well,  the  truth  is  — "  began  the  officer;  "but 
I  guess  we  'd  better  step  aside,  and  out  of  hearing  of 
others.     By  the  way,  where  's  Pelham  ?  " 

"  He  was  to  have  been  here,  having  started  with 
the  ladies,"  replied  Percy  ;  "  but  don't  wait  for  him. 
What 's  the  matter  ?  "  They  stepped  into  the  shelter 
of  some  trees,  and  then  the  officer,  who  was  Captain 
Warren  of  the  staff,  told  Percy  the  identical  story 
which  he  had  heard  from  Lord  Reginald  that  morn- 
ing. "  And,"  continued  Warren,  "  I  have  orders 
from  the  General  to  bring  you  all  back  as  fast  as 
possible  ;  we  shall  have  to  stay  over  a  day  to  rest 
our  horses,  which  are  about  used  up,  having  marched 
night  and  day,  except  some  six  hours'  rest  in  each 
twenty-four.  We  started  Friday  evening.  I  guess 
we  're  going  to  have  some  words,  if  not  worse,  with 
this  modern  Nero.  But  a  friend  at  court  has  un- 
folded the  King's  benevolent  purpose  regarding  us, 
and  the  General  is  fully  prepared  for  anything.  The 
King,  by  the  way,  required  that  you  should  be  at 
once  ordered  back;  he  has  marched,  however,  on 
short  notice,  to  encounter  the  barons  in  insurrection 
in  the  West,  and  is  thus  compelled  to  postpone  his 
quarrel  with  us.  He's  a  bloodthirsty  devil;  and,  will 
you  believe  it,  Arthur,  five  more  noblemen's  heads 
decorate  the  bridge  since  you  left!     But  what's  that 


158  CENTURIES  APART. 

horn  for?"  They  walked  back  to  the  open,  and 
found  that  the  horn  had  been  blown  to  call  the 
ladies  to  horse. 

"You  will  join  us  in  the  hunt  to-day,  Warren?  " 
asked  Percy. 

"  Nothing  could  be  more  to  my  taste,"  was  the 
reply;  "but  we  are  used  up,  man  and  horse,  and 
shall  have  to  accept  the  invitation  of  Sir  Harry 
Percy  to  go  on  to  his  father's  —  the  Earl's  —  castle, 
which  is  but  a  few  miles  away  ;  but  that  you  know 
all  about.  Lord  Reginald  Percy,  it  seems,  had  been 
advised  of  our  coming,  and  this  morning  sent  his 
squire  to  meet  us,  who  took  us  to  a  tower  five 
miles  back.  There  a  jolly  old  knight,  Sir  Andrew 
Fullmune,  whose  crest  is  indeed  a  full  moon,  and 
whose  corporation  is  of  the  proportion  and  rotundity 
of  the  earth's  satellite,  absolutely  insisted  upon  filling 
us  with  venison  pasty,  villanous  sour  beer,  and  other 
savory  concoctions,  by  way  of  breakfast.  We  had 
already  a  gigantic  appetite,  but  it  did  n't  come  up  to 
his  expectations ;  he  could  n't  be  appeased  until  it 
seemed  as  if  we  must  have  eaten  him  out  of  house 
and  home.  But  we  finally  succeeded  in  escaping, 
and  managed  to  pull  ourselves  on  our  horses  again. 
We  were  brought  here  to  meet  you,  and  now  we  go 
to  the  castle,  where  you  will  return  when  the  stag  is 
slain,  I  suppose.  Till  then,  good-by,"  and  Warren 
mounted  and  rode  away  with  his  escort,  under  gui- 
dance of  Lord  Reginald's  squire. 

Meanwhile  the  ladies  had  emerged  from  the  cloister 


THE  HUNT.  I59 

gate  mounted,  and  the  party  rode  away  following  the 
huntsmen,  who  had  started  previously.  Percy*  was 
near  Lady  Kate,  but  unobserved  by  her.  She  was 
surrounded  by  several  young  gallants,  each  striving 
for  her  brightest  smile  ;  but  she  was  looking  about 
in  a  preoccupied  way,  and  returning  but  desultory 
answers  to  their  airy  nothings.  Finally  she  drew  up 
her  horse  and  half  turned  him  about,  saying,  in 
Percy's  hearing,  — 

''Tis  meet  I  see  what  hath  happed  to  my 
American  cousin,  as  he  is  especially  our  guest  this 
day." 

Just  then  her  glance  fell  upon  the  object  of  her 
search,  who  spurred  to  her  side,  to  be  received  with 
a  smile  and  a  slight  blush  ;  while  a  young  knight, 
Sir  Waldemar  Tewksbury,  who  had  thus  far  been 
the  most  favored,  drew  back  with  a  comically  rueful 
look,  saying  in  a  low  voice  to  Percy  as  he  passed 
him,  "I  envy  thee  good  fortune,  fair  sir,"  but  good- 
naturedly  withal. 

The  others  looked  darkly  at  each  other  and  the 
American,  and  rode  away,  either  to  join  the  admirers 
about  the  other  ladies,  or  to  come  up  with  the 
huntsmen. 

"The  chase  holdeth  thee  true  votary,  cousin?" 
asked  the  maiden. 

"  I  may  say  so,  my  Lady,"  he  replied,  looking  ad- 
miringly at  her  ;  «  but  this  is  my  first  experience  in 
hunting  by  the  side  of  Diana  herself,  who,  I  perceive, 
wears  her  bow  to-day  at  her  throat."     For  her  hood,' 


l6o  CENTURIES  APART. 

or  bonnet,  was  fastened  at  the  neck  by  a  gold  brooch 
studded  with  diamonds,  in  shape  of  a  long  crescent. 

"  Nay,  now,  spare  thy  overdrawn  words  of  courtesy 
and  be  plain  with  me  to-day.  I  desire  to  ask  of 
forestry  sports  in  America.  What  game  have  you 
there?" 

"  Oh,  there  is  nothing  left  of  large  game  that  is 
hunted  in  the  saddle,  in  the  eastern  portions  of  the 
United  States.  The  great  plains  of  the  West,  fifteen 
hundred  or  two  thousand  miles  from  my  home,  are 
where  we  go  for  such  sport." 

"  Blessed  Saint  Agnes  !  "  broke  in  the  damsel,  "  go 
you  such  distance  for  your  hunting?" 

"  Not  often,  fair  cousin.  But  I  have  hunted  on 
these  great  prairies  the  buffalo  (a  kind  of  wild  cattle), 
the  elk,  antelopes,  wolves,  and  other  animals,  inclu- 
ding even  the  grisly  bear,  perhaps  the  largest  and 
fiercest  animal  of  his  kind  in  the  world.  I  have  seen 
rare  sport  there." 

"  Do  your  ladies  follow  the  chase  ?  " 

"  Very  seldom  ;  but  I  was  with  a  party  once,  hunt- 
ing buffalo,  consisting  of  army  officers  stationed  at 
one  of  our  frontier  posts  on  the  plains,  and  two 
of  these  gentlemen's  wives,  young  and  beautiful 
ladies,  rode  as  boldly  as  any  man  of  us  all.  And 
one  killed  her  buffalo  too ;  she  was  in  great  danger 
beside,  for  the  mortally  wounded  beast  turned  and 
gored  her  horse  and  bore  him  to  the  ground.  I  was, 
happily,  close  enough  to  her  to  spring  off  and  lift  her 
into  my  saddle  and  ride  away  just  in  time  to  save  us 


THE  HUNT.  I6l 

both.  The  buffalo  was  maddened  and  desperate,  and 
drove  us  to  the  brink  of  a  precipice,  where  we  should 
have  inevitably  met  our  deaths  but  that  a  shot  from 
her  husband's  rifle  —  he  was  close  behind  —  finished 
the  brute." 

"What  a  knight-errant  hast  thou  been?  What 
wouldst  give  to  have  a  like  adventure  here,  saving 
some  lady  from  peril,  —  Lady  Clara  de  Wyvill,  for 
example  ? " 

"  Well,  it  might  be  very  romantic  ;  but  if  any  lady 
is  to  be  saved,  may  she  be  my  fair  cousin,  Lady  Kate 
Percy !  " 

"  Now,  woe  betide  me  if  I  care  to  danger  myself 
that  thou  mightst  fulfil  thy  romantic  longings," 
replied  the  damsel,  laughing.  "  But  hark  !  There 
be  the  horn  !  The  stag  is  up  !  Ride,  Captain  Percy, 
ride ;   let  us  be  in  at  the  death  !  " 

And  they  rode  indeed ;  Lady  Kate  kept  her  bay 
flying  like  a  bird,  and  her  escort  had  quite  enough  to 
do  to  keep  by  her  side.  They  soon  left  the  open 
wood,  and  following  the  cry  of  the  hounds  along  its 
margin,  at  last  saw  the  stag,  a  noble  fellow,  break 
from  cover  and  dash  across  the  moor.  The  rest  of 
the  hunt  were  farther  within  the  forest,  and  the  change 
of  direction  of  the  game  brought  them  by  a  diagonal 
course  directly  after  him,  in  the  very  front,  and  close 
behind  the  hounds.  There  was  no  conversation  after 
this.  Their  great  American  horses  easily  kept  in 
advance  of  all  else,  and  they  gained  perceptibly  on 
the  stag,  which  ran  a  few  miles  across  this  moor  and 

ii 


1 62  CENTURIES  APART. 

finally  entered  another  wood.  They  saw  no  more  of 
him  for  a  long  time,  and  soon  it  was  clear  that  the 
hounds  were  at  fault.  The  huntsmen  came  up  and 
whipped  in  young  and  inexperienced  dogs  here  and 
there.  The  chase  had  plainly  doubled,  and  the  pack 
was  driven  back  on  his  trail  to  find  where  he  had  left 
the  old  course.  At  last  "  Broad  Arrow,"  a  reliable 
old  hound,  took  up  the  scent  and  led  away  through 
the  wood  beyond  which  Lord  Reginald,  who  was 
now  with  them,  said  that  a  wide  lake  lay.  They 
soon  became  separated  again,  but  Percy  remained 
with  Lady  Kate. 

Directly  the  course  of  the  chase  turned  again  and 
entered  heavier  forest.  After  riding  among  trees 
and  undergrowth  for  half  a  mile,  they  emerged 
suddenly  on  an  open  and  high  rocky  point,  reaching 
into  a  broad  river,  the  Tyne.  A  narrow,  grassy 
ravine,  ten  feet  in  width,  led  gently  down  to  the  water ; 
this  the  stag  had  probably  intended  to  take,  but 
the  hounds  were  so  close  that  he  could  not  check  his 
speed,  and  bounded  by  the  opening,  with  the  dogs 
almost  upon  him.  The  point  narrowed  rapidly,  and 
an  open  grove  of  immense  oaks  covered  the  extremity 
for  some  thirty  rods. 

"  Aha  !  "  cried  Lady  Kate,  "  the  hunt  is  up  !  We 
have  him  !     Ride  on  and  be  in  at  the  death." 

They  galloped  across  the  turf  and  into  the  wood, 
the  chief  huntsman  beside  them.  The  point  ended 
in  a  high  rock  overhanging  the  river,  and  they  could 
see  the  hounds   close   in  on  the  stag,  which  turned 


THE   HUNT.  163 

quickly  at  bay,  and  with  his  great  horns  dashed 
several  dogs  this  way  and  that  until  the  whole  pack 
hung  back.  The  yelping  of  the  wounded  beasts 
mingled  with  the  bay  of  those  yet  unhurt,  who  were 
trying  unsuccessfully  to  get  at  the  rear  of  the  quarry  ; 
but  the  land  was  too  narrow,  and  one  after  another  flew 
up  in  the  air,  some  to  fall  over  the  precipice,  victims 
of  the  terrible  antlers. 

"  Beware,  my  Lady  !  The  chase  eftsoon  will  charge 
us  !  "  shouted  the  huntsman,  but  too  late.  The  noble 
brute  all  at  once  raised  his  head,  and,  seeing  his 
human  enemies,  broke  through  the  pack  like  a  cata- 
pult, and  rushed  toward  them.  The  huntsman  bravely 
spurred  his  horse  between  the  lady  and  the  infuriated 
animal,  which  struck  his  steed  as  an  avalanche  might 
have  done.  The  huntsman  shot  from  his  saddle  and 
over  the  precipice,  falling  fortunately  clear  of  rocks 
and  into  the  deep  water.  His  horse,  mortally  hurt, 
was  thrown  against  that  of  Lady  Kate  with  such  force 
that  she  was  torn  from  her  seat,  falling  into  a  thicket 
of  shrubbery;  Percy  narrowly  escaped  a  like  fate. 
The  furious  stag  turned  in  full  career,  and,  putting 
his  head  down,  darted  toward  the  maiden,  who  hung 
half  stunned  upon  the  undergrowth,  like  a  broken 
flower.  Percy  threw  himself  from  his  saddle,  dragged 
the  girl  from  her  entanglement,  and  crowded  her  into 
the  rift  of  an  immense  oak  which  some  stroke  of 
lightning  had  cleft.  He  pressed  against  her  to  hold 
her  out  of  the  line  of  attack,  himself  hardly  covered 
by  the  shattered  trunk.     The  great  left  antler  of  the 


1 64  CENTURIES  APART. 

brute  grazed  and  stripped  the  bark  from  the  edge  of 
the  rift,  as  he  passed  at  mad  speed,  then  caught  Percy's 
left  shoulder,  ripping  the  coat  as  if  it  were  cobweb, 
and,  tearing  skin  and  flesh,  dashed  him  violently 
to  the  earth,  where  he  lay  unconscious.  The  stag 
turned  again,  now  surrounded  by  the  hounds,  and 
ran  toward  the  ravine,  meeting  the  rest  of  the  hunt 
in  his  course  ;  another  furious  struggle  with  the  dogs, 
and  at  last  an  arrow  laid  him  low. 

When  Percy  opened  his  eyes  he  gazed  wildly 
upward  for  a  moment,  and  then,  as  memory  returned, 
a  terrible  dread  as  to  the  fate  of  the  maiden  struck 
to  his  heart  like  a  knife,  and  he  started  to  spring  to 
his  feet,  only  to  fall  back,  dizzy  with  pain.  When  he 
collected  himself  again,  some  one  was  trying  to  bind 
the  hurts  on  his  arm  and  shoulder,  and  looking  up 
he  saw  Kate  Percy  bending  over  him,  doing  her  best 
to  stop  the  flow  of  blood.  At  that  instant  the 
huntsman  who  had  been  thrown  into  the  river  rushed 
up,  the  water  pouring  from  him,  and,  kneeling  down, 
took  hold  deftly  in  aid  of  the  maiden,  who,  seeing 
him,  cried  :  — 

"  Is  it  thou,  Annesly?  More  than  poor  thanks 
shall  well  repay  the  deed  of  this  day,  and  joy  is  it 
to  see  thee  unhurt;  but  this  poor  gentleman  took 
up  thy  task  where  thou  wast  hurled  from  completing 
it,  and,  verily,  I  fear  me  he  hath  been  sore  wounded 
for  my  safety.  But  there  soundeth  the  death  halloo  ! 
Wind  thy  horn,  man,  as  in  desperate  need,  and  get  swift 
help  to  us,  or  this  youth  dieth  unaided." 


THE  HUNT.  165 

The  man  blew  a  long  and  loud  blast,  and  in  a 
moment  several  of  the  party,  foremost  of  them  Lord 
Reginald,  appeared. 

"Brother,"  cried  the  girl,  "a  leech,  and  quickly! 
Stay!     Is  not  the  American  surgeon  near?" 

The  Karon  did  not  wait  to  reply,  but  spurred  his 
horse  madly  to  the  party  below,  and  returned  in  an 
instant  with  Dr.  Bruce,  who  sprang  from  his  horse 
and  examined  the  injuries  of  the  Captain.  Then  he 
arose,  looking  grave. 

"  Tell  me,"  murmured  the  maiden,  in  a  hollow 
voice,  her  face  like  ashes,  "  is  yon  youth  dead  or 
dying?  " 

"Neither,  Lady,"  replied  the  Doctor;  and  then 
addressing  her  brother  quickly,  he  said,  "The  sooner 
we  get  him  to  the  castle  the  better;  yet  he  cannot 
be  carried  on  a  horse,  and  to  transport  him  on  a 
litter  will  take  too  much  time.  How  far  by  water  —  " 
He  was  interrupted  by  Sir  Harry,  who  saw  at  once 
what  was  needed. 

"  Four  miles  runneth  the  river  almost  as  flyeth  the 
arrow.  Yonder,  across  the  stream,  around  the  bend, 
dwelleth  a  fisherman  whose  boat  may  be  swiftly 
rowed  to  Ravensclyffe ;  "  and  he  spurred  furiously 
down  the  slope,  through  the  grassy  ravine,  and  dashed 
into  the  river,  which  was  deep  and  narrow.  Swim- 
ming his  horse  across,  he  rode  up  the  opposite  bank 
and  disappeared  in  the  wood.  Five  minutes  after  a 
small  boat,  rowed  swiftly  by  two  men,  came  round  the 
bend  and  made  for  the  hither  shore.    Meantime  some 


1 66  CENTURIES  APART. 

saplings  had  been  cut,  fir  branches  laid  across,  and 
spare  garments  spread  upon  it  to  form  a  litter,  upon 
which  the  injured  man  was  laid  and  carried  to  the 
river  bank.  The  Doctor  got  on  board  the  boat,  and 
helped  lift  Percy  into  it.  Lord  Reginald  accompanied 
him.     But  one  of  the  boatmen  said  respectfully: 

"  My  Lord,  methinks  the  boat  be  too  small  for 
such  bulk.  Look  ye,  she  sinketh  nigh  to  the  water's 
edge  !  An  a  light  man  were  in  your  Lordship's  place, 
we  were  like  to  go  more  swift  and  safe  to  Ravensclyffe." 

"True,"  muttered  the  Baron,  as  he  saw  the  boat 
settle,  "  but  none  is  here  light  enow,  and  'twere  need- 
ful that  one  support  the  youth's  head.  Now,  Kate, 
wouldst  take  my  place?" 

"  Gladly,  brother,"  she  replied,  and  stepped  lightly 
to  the  craft,  while  he  sprang  ashore.  Percy's  head 
was  laid  toward  the  stern,  while  the  Doctor  supported 
his  body  as  best  he  might  on  boughs  of  fir  laid  in  the 
bottom. 

"  Now,  friar,"  cried  the  Baron,  "  pull  for  your  lives  ! 
Ten  broad  pieces  for  each  of  ye,  if  at  Ravensclyffe 
within   the   hour.     For  your  lives,  for  your   lives  !  " 

"  Gramercy,  my  Lord,"  replied  the  elder  boatman, 
who  was  habited  like  a  monk,  "  the  saints  and  our 
strong  arms  shall  shorten  the  hour  for  the  Percy's 
sake,  broad  pieces  or  no ;  and  yet,"  he  muttered, 
"  the  poor  cell  of  Saint  Hubert  of  the  Rock  hath  need 
of  all  the  gifts  of  the  charitable ;  "  and  they  started 
with  a  stroke  that  promised  to  better  his  word. 

Percy  lay  back,  partly  conscious  for  the  first  half- 


THE   HUNT.  167 

mile,  but  the  Doctor  plied  stimulants  and  bathed  his 
head,  and  at  last  he  opened  his  eyes  and  gazed  up- 
ward at  the  fairest  face,  which  looked  down  anxiously 
at  him.  A  flush  of  pleasure  gave  the  first  tint  of 
color  to  his  cheek,  as  he  saw  where  he  was,  and,  in 
spite  of  the  pain,  a  slight  smile  flickered  on  his  lips. 
A  look  of  relief  passed  over  the  maiden's  features, 
and,  blushing  herself,  at  last  she  looked  out  over  the 
water,  but  in  a  moment  said, — 

"  Hast  great  dole,  cousin?  " 

"Can  a  man  near  you  know  pain?"  he  replied 
faintly,  and,  with  an  attempt  at  a  laugh,  added,  "  If 
I  remember  rightly  I  have  had  an  opportunity  to 
realize  the  'romantic  longings'  which  you  spoke  of 
so  scornfully  this  morning.  But,"  he  anxiously  went 
on,  "  tell  me  truly,  were  you  not  hurt?  " 

"  But  a  scratch  or  two.  Speak  not  of  that,  I 
prithee.  Be  quiet  and  take  rest,  and  discourse  not 
of  me." 

"Yes,"  broke  in  the  Doctor,  dryly,  smiling;  "I 
place  a  ban  upon  your  tongue.  Be  as  patient  as  may 
be,  Arthur;  at  this  rate  we  shall  soon  be  at  Ravens- 
cry  fife,  where  we  will  have  you  to  bed  for  a  week. 
But  be  silent." 

"  I  suppose  I  must,"  sighed  Percy;  "  but  I  should 
like  to  float  thus  forever —  " 

"  Bah,  boy !  don't  be  conversational,  particularly  in 
that  strain,  or  I  '11  keep  you  in  bed  for  two  weeks," 
growled  the  Doctor,  testily. 

Silence   ensued,   and   the   Captain   solaced   himself 


1 68  CENTURIES  APART. 

with  sleepily  watching  the  object  of  his  adoration, 
although  he  might  not  address  her.  She  appeared 
unconscious  of  his  gaze,  and  observed  him  con- 
tinually with  great  tenderness  and  anxiety  in  her 
lovely  features. 

The  first  shock  having  spent  itself  in  causing  tem- 
porary prostration,  the  health  and  strength  of  the 
youth  began  to  reassert  themselves,  and  with  the 
reaction  from  the  extreme  weakness  which  had  at 
first  overcome  him,  the  pain  proportionately  in- 
creased, and  became  hard  to  bear  quietly.  Still  no 
sound  or  indication,  except  the  drawn  lines  of  his 
face  and  compressed  lips,  betrayed  his  suffering.  His 
companions  watched  him  more  closely  than  ever. 
The  Doctor  held  his  wrist,  and  every  few  moments 
made  him  swallow  brandy ;  and  the  lady's  hand  was 
laid  timidly  on  his  forehead.  It  is  perhaps  to  be 
regretted  that  Percy  should  have  acknowledged  in 
his  diary  that  her  gentle  demonstration  gave  him  a 
thrill  of  delight  that  wrung  his  hurts  with  a  fresh 
pang,  and  that,  instead  of  the  grateful  smile  which 
should  have  repaid  her,  a  spasm  of  sharp  misery 
crossed  his  face,  greatly  to  her  terror;  but  he  laughed 
as  soon  as  he  could  recover  himself. 

The  course  of  the  stream,  as  Sir  Harry  had  said, 
was  practically  direct  to  Ravensclyffe,  yet  there  were 
some  slight  turns.  The  scenery  was  grand  and 
beautiful,  and  at  any  other  time  the  American  would 
have  appreciated  it.  At  last,  after  a  half  bend  had 
been  passed,  scattered  hamlets  began  to  appear  upon 


THE  HUNT.  169 

the  banks ;  the  river  widened  to  about  a  quarter  of 
a  mile  in  extent,  and  finally  they  came  upon  the 
town  itself,  with  the  castle  towering  on  the  cliff. 
Drawing  up  to  a  sand  beach,  they  found  a  litter, 
with  Lord  Reginald,  his  brother,  and  a  group  of 
their  people ;  and  Percy  was  carefully  lifted  out  and 
borne  to  the  castle,  where  he  was  put  in  bed  and  his 
hurts  dressed  by  Dr.  Bruce,  assisted  somewhat  by 
the  "  chirurgeon,"  who  attended  in  obedience  to  a 
summons  from   the  Earl. 

It  may  be  said  here  that  Dr.  Bruce,  in  the  course 
of  his  investigations  while  in  this  strange  country, 
found  that  while  their  "  chirurgeons' "  methods  in 
surgery  were  often  barbarous,  and  their  knowledge 
of  pathology  of  the  crudest,  yet  many  of  their  simple 
remedies  were  very  efficacious ;  and  doubtless  their 
practice  was  helped  by  the  vigorous  general  health 
of  the  people,  who  lived  very  much  in  the  open  air, 
and  upon  generally  simple  food,  while  the  use  of 
alcoholic  drinks  was  at  a  minimum. 

Captain  Warren  was  very  loath  to  leave  Percy  at 
Ravensclyffe,  and,  instead  of  marching  as  he  had 
intended,  within  two  days,  he  delayed  his  departure 
for  five,  hoping  to  be  able  to  take  his  friend  with 
him ;  but  as  orders  were  imperative,  he  felt  com- 
pelled to  set  forward  with  Pelham's  troop  at  the  end 
of  that  time.  Dr.  Bruce,  finding  that  Percy  was  in 
a  safe  condition  to  leave,  although  in  no  state  to  be 
moved  as  yet,  was  obliged  to  go  also.  Percy,  there- 
fore, was  left  with   his   own  servant  and   one  trusty 


170  CENTURIES  APART. 

trooper  as  orderly,  and  the  Americans  marched,  after 
ceremonious  leave-taking,  and  greatly  to  the  disap- 
pointment of  the  Earl,  who  had  hoped  to  keep  them 
for  some  weeks.  Meanwhile,  the  day  before  they 
started,  a  striking  scene  occurred  at  Ravensclyffe. 
This  was  the  departure  of  Lord  Reginald  Percy,  with 
his  brother,  Sir  Harry,  and  the  whole  force  of  their 
vassals  fit  to  take  the  field,  to  join  in  the  "  rising,"  as 
it  was  called,  the  rendezvous  of  the  army  of  the  con- 
federated lords  being  at  a  place  not  a  score  of  miles 
away.  The  array  consisted  of  fully  five  hundred 
men-at-arms,  and  about  three  hundred  archers  and 
arquebusiers,  and  although  the  latter  served  in  action 
on  foot,  yet  they  were  all  mounted  for  the  march. 
They  also  had  two  light  pieces  of  artillery,  called  by 
them  "  hawks."  These  had  been  dismounted  from 
the  battlements  of  the  castle,  and  were  mounted  on 
rude  carriages,  drawn  by  eight  horses  to  each.  Lord 
Percy  told  Pelham  that  it  was  the  first  time  that 
horses  were  ever  used  for  this  purpose  in  South 
England,  bullocks  having  been  employed  in  such 
service  heretofore.  The  cannoneers  ran  by  the 
side,  or  in  rear  of  the  guns.  The  next  day  news 
came  that  the  whole  insurgent  army  had  concen- 
trated at  Tweedmouth,  being  joined  by  several  of 
the  mountain  clans,  and  had  marched  rapidly 
southward  under  Douglas,  the  Earl  of  Angus, 
in  order  to  reach  the  fens  of  Humber  and  form 
a  junction  with  "  his  Grace,"  who  would  assume 
supreme    command.       There    they  would   await    the 


THE  HUXT.  171 

approach  of  the  Earl  of  Sussex,  who  was  march- 
ing against  them  at  the  head  of  the  array  of  the 
Southern  and  Eastern  shires. 

"  And  who  is  '  his  Grace '?  "  asked  Percy,  to  whom 
the  Earl  had  been  talking  freely  of  the  operations  in 
progress. 

"  Didst  mark  at  the  meeting  in  the  forest,  on 
the  day  of  the  hunt,  a  tall,  dark  young  man,  who 
they  tell  me  was  much  in  company  there  of  my 
son  Harry,  but  whose  presence  was  purposely  little 
noted?  " 

"  Yes,"  replied  Percy,  "  I  did.  He  was  a  person 
of  remarkable  appearance,  and  I  saw  that,  although 
none  addressed  him,  yet  all  who  came  near  regarded 
him  with  great  deference." 

"  Even  so,"  rejoined  the  Earl ;  "  the  man  is  Alfred 
Plantagenet,  Duke  of  Egremond,  second  cousin  of  the 
King,  and,  please  God,  King,  whom  we  shall  crown 
at  Westminster  within  the  month.  None  nobler 
nor  more  worthy  to  bear  sceptre  than  he,  in  all  the 
land.  And  't  is  his  right  beside  ;  for  this  King's  father 
got  himself  crowned,  by  fraud  and  violence,  in  place 
of  his  elder  brother  Geoffrey,  grandsire  of  the  Duke, 
who  was  a  feeble  man,  unable  to  sway  sword  or 
mount  a  war-horse,  while  his  usurping  brother  had 
been  a  bold  soldier  in  the  war  with  La  Nouvelle 
France.  Yet  were  they  both  sons  of  our  great  King 
Geoffrey;  and  the  elder  son,  though  of  weak  stature, 
was  in  mind  and  heart  worthy  his  sire.  But  the 
usurper   claimed    and    seized    the    crown,    upon    his 


172  CENTURIES  APART. 

father's  death,  and  was  supported  by  many  of 
the  lords  who  had  fought  with  him  beyond  seas. 
Those  who  gainsaid  his  right  were  after  beheaded 
or  banished,  and  his  son  hath  well  followed  in  's 
footsteps." 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE  COURSE  OF  TRUE  LOVE. 

At  the  first  sight,  they  have  changed  eyes. 

The  Tempest. 

It  had  proved  a  difficult  matter  to  keep  Percy 
quietly  in  bed,  and  the  day  on  which  Dr.  Bruce  had 
departed,  found  him  up  and  moving  about  his  room. 
On  the  next  he  ventured  downstairs  to  the  Earl's 
parlor,  much  to  the  surprise  and  pleasure  of  the  old 
gentleman,  who  was  lonesome  and  uneasy,  anxiously 
awaiting  the  outcome  of  the  impending  battle,  and  it 
was  a  great  relief  to  have  a  soldier  to  converse  with 
in  regard  to  the  probabilities.  For  the  first  time 
since  the  young  man  had  been  at  Ravensclyffe,  the 
Earl  talked  of  his  guest  of  the  preceding  year,  the 
Confederate  General,  who  had  subsequently  died  ;  and 
Percy  was  invited  into  the  library  or  "  book-room," 
where  the  cherished  volumes  bequeathed  to  the  Earl 
by  this  gentleman  were  deposited.  He  was  astonished 
at  the  variety  and  broad  range  of  these  works.  The 
unhappy  exile  had  evidently  been  not  only  a  scholar 
but  a  great  collector  of  books ;  and  the  volumes 
covered  every  department  of  literature  in  several 
languages.  The  writers  included  almost  every 
American    and    very    many    foreign   authors.     The 


174  CENTURIES  APART. 

books  were  in  a  remarkably  good  condition,  not- 
withstanding their  voyages  in  all  climates  and  their 
extensive  use.  Percy  spent  several  days  most  de- 
lightfully in  this  room,  and  none  the  less  so  that  the 
Lady  Kate  was  constantly  with  him  there,  availing 
herself  of  the  opportunity  to  read  with  him  much 
that  she  had  not  been  able  to  understand  before. 
The  only  cloud  over  his  happiness  was  that  the  days 
of  his  stay  were  necessarily  drawing  to  a  close,  and 
he  almost  regretted  the  rapidity  of  his  recovery, 
entailing,  as  it  did,  the  coming  parting  from  her. 
The  somewhat  satirical  and  coquettish  vein  of  her 
manner  in  their  earlier  intercourse  had  given  place 
to  a  gentle  and  sympathetic  tone,  and,  although  the 
imperious  young  lady  ruled  the  household,  so  to 
speak,  yet  she  put  herself  in  a  state  of  pupilage  to 
him,  which  exhibited  her  in  a  new  and  yet  more 
charming  aspect  than  ever. 

Alas  for  the  halcyon  days  of  life,  of  which  the 
sunsets  even  are  so  beautiful,  and  the  afterglow  un- 
fading in  memory's  picture ! 

He  found  himself,  all  too  soon,  so  far  recovered 
as  to  realize  that  duty  and  honor  required  his  imme- 
diate setting  out  to  rejoin  the  American  army  in 
camp,  and  decided  to  start  on  the  second  day  suc- 
ceeding the  morrow. 

It  was  late  in  the  afternoon,  as  it  seemed  by  the 
sun,  but  by  the  hour  well  into  the  night,  when  he 
sat  alone  with  her  in  this  library.  He  had  been 
reading  aloud  from  one  of  the  American  poets,  but 


IP 


THE    COURSE    OF    TRUE    LOVE. —Page  175. 


THE    COURSE    OF   TRUE  LOVE.  1 75 

had  closed  the  book  and  was  looking  out  in  his 
dreamy  manner  over  the  water,  when  she  for  the 
first  time  asked  him  of  his  plans,  and  regarding  the 
destination  of  the  fleet  when  they  sailed.  Meanwhile, 
as  she  spoke,  she  stepped  to  a  table  and  returned 
with  a  map  of  the  Western  Continent.  At  the  south 
pole  she  had  traced  very  intelligently  an  outline  of 
the  island  of  South  England,  and  the  main  shores  of 
La  Nouvelle  France,  and  of  all  the  lands  then  known 
in  that  part  of  the  world.  Percy  noted  also  a  light 
line  drawn  from  South  England  up  through  the 
Atlantic,   and   ending  at  Boston   in  North   America. 

"  There  have  I  limned  a  way,"  she  said,  "  that  I 
might  know  within  myself  whither  you  would  go 
when  your  ships  sail  again.  Guess  I  not  rightly? 
And  so  shall  I  be  able  to  follow  your  ocean  path. 
For  it  seemeth  so  strange  to  me  that  you  go  so  far 
away  in  the  world,  having  come  from  thence." 
Then,  after  a  pause,  and  dropping  into  her  pretty 
mediaeval  style,  she  said  in  a  lower  tone,  "  And  wilt 
e'er  think  of  thy  friends  left  behind,  or  care  to  sail 
hither  again?  " 

Percy  looked  at  her  suddenly,  and  then  gazed  out 
upon  the  sea  as  before.  "You  forget,  sweet  lady, — 
or  I  have  not  told  you,  —  that  we  do  not  sail  to  our 
homes  from  here.  This  is  the  direction  of  our 
voyage;"  and  he  traced  a  line  northward  along  the 
west  coast  of  South  America  to  Mexico.  "  And  we  are 
at  war;  and,  leaving  the  scenes  of  our  own  battlefields, 
wc  were  sent  around  the  continent's  extreme  verge, 


176  CENTURIES  APART. 

to  proceed  to  where  we  are  to  aid  a  friendly  neigh- 
boring republic  to  drive  the  French  Emperor's 
armies  from  her  soil,  and  re-establish  her  own  gov- 
ernment. And  it  would  be  vain  to  talk  of  the  future ; 
for  there  will  be  fierce  fighting  there,  and  as  to  the 
fate  of  all  or  any  of  us,  who  can  tell?  But  if  I  survive, 
and  reach  my  home  once  more,  do  you  think  that 
anything  in  the  world  can  keep  me  from  coming 
again?  " 

"  I  know  not,"  she  said  sadly,  "  when  you  leave 
our  poor  country,  so  far  back  in  forgotten  ages  as  it 
seemeth  doubtless  to  you,  and  are  again  in  your 
own  bright  and  mighty  land,  where  all  is  sunshine  in 
life  as  in  each  day  —  but,"  she  cried,  in  sudden 
terror,  "  you  go  not  back !  I  bethought  me  not  of 
what  you  did  say.  You  go  to  battle  again;  and, 
alas !  your  wars  seem  so  much  more  horrible  than 
ours,  as  your  land  seemeth  brighter  and  happier. 
Our  kings  war  but  for  a  summer  or  two,  and  our 
knights  most  gallantly  do  their  devoir,  and  surely 
many  be  slain ;  but  your  battles  last  for  many  days, 
and  scores  of  thousands  are  destroyed  by  your  dread 
arms.  I  know  it  well,  for  I  have  heard  talk  much 
with  my  father  your  countryman,  the  General  Rout- 
ledge,  who  was  our  guest  from  the  ship's  wrack,  till 
he  died,  methinks,  of  heartbreak,  from  exile.  And 
have  I  read  me  much  in  these  books  and  news- 
papers, of  which  such  store  was  brought  from  the 
abandoned  ship.  Ah,  me  !  I  know  that  my  brother 
was  to  beg  you  and  your  countrymen  all  to  live  here 


THE   COURSE   OF   TRUE  LOVE.  1 77 

and  not  again  to  tempt  the  seas.  Why  may  not  that 
be?  I  am  sure  our  welcome  would  be  for  you  all 
as  long  as  life  lasted.  For  blythe  were  we  to  have 
such  guests  become  our  countrymen.  Why  not 
this?  " 

"  Honor  and  duty,  Lady  Percy,  forbid  such  a 
course,"  replied  Arthur,  still  gazing  out  upon  the 
ocean,  without  seeing  it. 

A  heavy,  choking  sigh  trembled  in  his  ears,  and 
swept  away  his  painfully  assumed  indifference.  He 
looked  at  her  quickly  in  the  twilight.  Her  eyes  were 
fixed  upon  him  with  an  expression  which  haunted 
him  while  he  lived ;  and  all  the  cruelly  repressed 
feeling,  which  he  had  crushed  within  himself  until 
this  moment,  burst  all  restraint.  He  caught  her 
hands  and  drew  her  to  him,  pouring  out  a  torrent 
of  wild  love.  What  his  words  were  I  cannot  know  ; 
his  journal  is  silent  concerning  them  ;  but  when  he 
paused,  the  maiden  of  the  sixteenth  century  was  in 
the  arms  of  the  man  of  the  nineteenth,  and  her  sobs 
and  tears  were  pitiful,  for  I  think  that  both  felt  the 
soon-coming  sorrow  of  the  parting,  even  more  than 
the  joy  of  the  dawning  of  their  love.  He  comforted 
her  as  best  he  might,  but  she  wailed  long  over  the 
thought  of  the  separation.  Finally,  she  held  him  off 
at  arm's  length,  and  gazed  into  his  eyes  with  piercing 
earnestness. 

"  You  will,  you  will  be  true  to  me,"  she  said 
hurriedly.  "  If  I  dreamed  that  you  could  be  so 
cruel,  cruel,  cruel  as  to  forget,  I  would  fain  throw- 
is 


178  CENTURIES  APART. 

myself  from  yonder  cliff.  I  could  not  abide  life 
longer  than  faith  in  you." 

"  And  if  you  did,"  replied  he,  smiling,  "  should  I 
find  upon  my  coming  again  that  I  was  robbed  of 
love,  hope,  and  my  Kate,  by  my  Kate  herself?  Is  it 
well  to  let  such  thoughts  and  doubts  have  place  in 
your  spirit?" 

She  looked  long  and  eagerly  at  him.  Her  look 
passed  through  and  through  him  as  it  seemed,  and 
appeared  to  read   his  very  soul. 

"  Thou  art  true  !  "  at  length  she  exclaimed,  with 
triumphant  joy.  "  Somewhat  within  me  tells  it,  so 
that  I  may  doubt  no  more.  But,  alack,  you  go  to 
battle ;  and  while  I  wait,  it  may  be  for  years,  in 
cruel,  long,  slow,  pitiless  patience,  as  I  must,  nath- 
less,  you  may  be  lying,  in  sunshine  and  in  dews 
alike,  unheeding  and  unknowing  of  all  things,  with  a 
lance-point  in  that  heart  that  once  beat  so  truly  for 
me  !  "     And  she  wailed  wildly  again. 

He  managed  to  soothe  her,  and  they  sat  silent  for 
a  space.  Then  she  said  suddenly:  "But  why  woo 
you  me  more,  until  you  have  seen  the  Earl,  my 
father?  '  T  is  meet  you  ask  him  for  his  blessing  on 
our  love  now.  I  cannot  abide  the  suspense  of  feel- 
ing that  there  may  chance  any  further  misdoubting 
in  this  matter.     Come,  I  lead  you  to  him." 

The  young  man  was  startled  at  the  consideration, 
which  had  not  occurred  to  him  in  his  excitement, 
and  his  thoughts  were  tumultuously  confused,  as  she 
took  his  hand  and  led  him  impetuously  toward  the 


THE   COURSE   OF   TRUE   LOVE.  1/9 

Earl's  parlor.  Indeed,  he  half  held  back,  to  try  to 
get  his  ideas  into  some  logical  sequence.  At  which 
she  laughed,  looking  up  into  his  face,  and  said:  — 
"What!  faint  heart?  Nay,  that  never  won  yet! 
I  warrant  me  you  had  rather  face  the  foe,  now !  " 
she  went  on,   with  a  touch  of  her  old   raillery. 

He  laughed  in  return,  nervously  replying,  "  Yes,  I 
warrant  you  that  I  should  prefer  facing  a  battery." 
But  then  they  entered  the  Earl's  door. 

She  led  him  into  the  room,  saying,  "  My  Lord, 
Captain  Percy  hath  a  word  to  say  to  you  ;  "  and  with 
a  mischievous  smile,  kissing  the  old  man  as  he  sat  by 
the  table  reading,  she  fled. 

"  Ah,  cousin,  thou  'rt  welcome  !  But  what  aileth 
thee,  lad?     Art  ill?" 

"  111  at  ease,  my  Lord ;  "  and  then  he  blurted  out: 
"  My  Lord,  I  love  your  daughter.  Will  you  give  her 
to  me  when  I  come  again,  if  the  seas  and  shot  and 
shell  spare  me?  " 

"What!  my  Kate!  "  ejaculated  the  Earl,  as  soon 
as  surprise  let  him  speak.  "  Give  her  to  thee,  to 
carry  away  to  t'  other  side  the  world?  Beshrew  me, 
but  I  had  other  plans  for  her !  What !  give  thee 
Kate?     Doth  she  love  thee,  boy?  " 

"  Indeed  she  does,  my  Lord.  But  she  would  hear 
no  more  from  me  until  I  had  your  permission  to 
woo   her." 

"Ay,  't  is  like  my  Kate.  But  give  her  to  a 
stranger  from  far  lands?  What  if  she  pined  and 
grieved  away  amid  such  new  and  different  ways  as 


l8o  CENTURIES  APART. 

you  have?  Nay,  never  vow  vows  to  me,  lad.  A 
boy  in  love  would  vow  away  his  salvation  to  gain  his 
wish." 

The  Earl  began  to  walk  the  room,  muttering  to 
himself.  At  length  he  stopped  and  said  abruptly : 
"  I  know  thee  for  a  gentleman.  But  tell  me  of  thy 
family,  thy  wealth  and  degree  in  America.  I  would 
not  that  my  daughter  wed  where  she  find  herself  in 
unhappy  circumstances." 

"  My  Lord,  I  will  gladly  be  frank  with  you.  But 
I  pray  you  not  think  me  boastful  or  ungracious  if  I 
tell  you  plainly  how  she  would  be  placed  as  my 
wife." 

"  Go  on,  lad.     'T  is  that  I  asked  you." 

"  Well,  sir,  you  know  already  that  we  are  plain 
republicans.  All  men  are  equal  before  the  law. 
But  there  is  a  great  difference  in  conditions,  as  there 
is  here.  Only,  every  man  has  a  right  to  aspire  to 
the  highest,  if  he  thinks  he  can  attain  it.  It  is  some- 
what so  in  Old  England  now,  in  this  age  of  the  world. 
It  is  the  spirit  of  the  age.  Now  as  to  myself  and 
family.  My  father  was  a  gentleman  of  wealth.  He 
had  been  educated  for  and  had  served  in  the  army 
in  his  youth.  When  the  civil  war  broke  out,  he 
offered  his  services  to  the  government,  and  became 
a  general.  He  died  at  the  bloody  battle  of  Shiloh. 
My  only  brother,  his  eldest  son,  strove  to  raise  my 
father  when  he  fell  from  his  horse,  and  received  at 
the  instant  a  bullet  in  his  own  heart.  My  mother, 
who  was  much  younger  than  my  father,  was  a  very 


THE  COURSE   OF   TRUE  LOVE.  181 

beautiful  woman,  and  so  devoted  to  us  as  children 
that  she  seemed  a  child  with  us,  in  the  life  we  led 
together.  She  never  recovered  from  the  loss  of  her 
husband  and  son,  but  died  a  year  since,  leaving  my 
sister,  a  girl  of  fifteen,  to  my  care.  We  have  no  near 
relatives.  Now,  sir,  I  hesitate  to  say  what  I  must 
next  in  order  to  answer  your  questions  aright.  I  am 
possessed  of  what,  even  in  a  rich  country,  is  great 
wealth.  Here,  it  would  seem  incredible  fortune. 
Your  daughter  would,  as  my  wife,  live  amid  comforts 
and  luxuries  such  as  no  one  here  dreams  of,  or  could 
understand  from  any  description.  She  would  find 
herself  in  a  society  of  refined  elegance,  and  in  the 
best  position.  I  live  in  a  very  pleasant  city,  thought 
by  our  people  the  finest  in  America,  although  not  the 
largest. 

"And  trust  me,  sir,  the  news  of  our  discovery  of 
your  land  will  open  a  trade  and  an  amity  between 
our  nations  which  will  lead  to  frequent  and  steady 
communication.  Regular  lines  of  steamships  will 
very  soon  be  established  between  America  (and 
indeed  Europe  also)  and  South  England.  That  is 
certain  and  inevitable.  So  your  daughter  would 
not  be  hopelessly  away  from  her  land  and  home, 
after  all. 

"  Our  civil  war  is  almost  over.  I  believe  that  the 
next  campaign  will  finish  it,  and  the  government  will 
surely  crush  all  opposition  and  re-establish  the  great 
Republic  as  one  of  the  first  nations  of  the  earth,  and 
stronger  than  ever. 


1 82  CENTURIES  APART. 

"  The  position  of  woman  is  very  happy  in  America, 
and  your  daughter  would  find  herself,  exquisitely 
lovely  as  she  is,  a  favorite  everywhere  among  my 
friends. 

"  Have  I  made  myself  well  understood,  my  Lord?  " 

"Alack,  much  of  it  passeth  my  understanding,  lad. 
But  't  is  not  your  lack,  but  mine.  You  plead  well, 
and  all  pleaseth  me  well  enow  ;  but  what  of  this  new 
war  in  which  you  undertake?  " 

"  Ah,  sir,  '  there  's  the  rub.'  You  know  the  fate  of 
war.  If  I  fall  on  the  field,  that  drops  the  curtain 
over  all.     But  I  hope  —  " 

"  Oh,  yes,  boy,  I  know  more  of  war  than  you  can. 
That  is,  I  am  an  older  soldier,  at  least.  Youth  and 
hope  walk  ever  hand  in  hand.  'T  is  well  't  is  so. 
Now,  my  son  (nay,  wring  not  my  hand  so  hard),  go 
and  do  your  devoir  upon  the  field  of  honor,  and  as 
soon  as  you  may,  come  back  here  again  ;  and  if  you 
and  Kate  be  of  like  mind  as  to-day,  you  will  have  my 
blessing,  and  that  of  the  Countess,  who  fears  much, 
as  do  I,  for  the  girl,  in  this  unhappy  land,  which  will 
either  be  rescued  from  the  power  of  a  cruel  tyrant,  or 
plunged  into  a  war  that  will  be  worse  than  the  old 
wars  of  the  Roses,  the  results  of  which  established 
this  kingdom. 

"  But  most  sincerely  hope  I  that  you  pass  safe 
through  all  perils,  and  return  here  to  claim  my 
daughter's  hand.  For  I  am  frank  to  apprise  you 
that  other  considerations  beside  your  and  her  wishes 
have  moved  me  to  consent  to  give  her  to  a  stranger. 


THE    COURSE    OF   TRIE  LOVE.  183 

I  look  to  see,  if  I  live  long  enow,  your  alliance  with 
her  lead  to  better  knowledge  of  us,  and  certain  and 
free   intercourse   with   your   nation.     For   I    am   told 
that  your  family  have  e'er  had  great  power  and  influ- 
ence in  your  government.      I  know  that  it  would  be 
for  your  own  interest  to  bring  about  alliance  betwixt 
the  two  nations;    and  certes  of  this  land,  Northum- 
bria  were  first  in  your  heart.     The  influence  of  your 
Republic  would  surely  help  to  improve  our  institu- 
tions, and   aid  us  to  take  a  place  among  the  nations 
of  the  earth,  in  accord  with  the  '  spirit  of  the  age,' 
as  'tis  yclept  by  you.      My  friends  among  the  great 
lords  of  the  North  have  been  greatly  moved  by  the 
visit  of  your  fleet  and  army,  and  had  not  this  'rising' 
been  ripe  at  this  time,  we  should  have  prayed  your 
chiefs  that  they  visit  us  in  Northumbria  and  West- 
moreland, so  that  we  might  know  more  of  the  great 
world    and    its    institutions    as    they   exist  to-day   in 
England    and    America.       These  books  which    have 
come  to   my  hands,  and  the  life  here,  all  too   short, 
of  your    countryman,  the    General    Routledge,  have 
been    of  mighty   tidings    to    us.     In    fact,    what   we 
already  know  hath  led  to  the   rising   itself.     May  it 
prove   a  veritable    revolution    against   the    authority 
and  power  of  a  wicked  king!     Alas  that  I  can  my- 
self no  longer  mount  war  horse  and  couch  lance! 

"  My  son  told  me  of  his  unavailing  essay,  in  that 
he  might  persuade  you  to  pray  your  General  that  he 
take  hand  in  our  war.  We  were  sore  grieved  that 
you    refused    this    boon,    but,    nathless   'tis    to    your 


1 84  CENTURIES  APART. 

honor.  Your  reasons  were  just,  and  you  must  needs 
obey  loyally  your  ruler's  commands.  But  I  weary 
you  with  an  old  man's  discourse.  Methinks  Kate 
were  in  the  book-room.  Call  her  hither,  an  it  please 
you." 

Percy  hastened  to  fulfil  this  mission,  but  said  not  a 
word  of  the  result  of  his  talk  with  the  Earl.  She 
took  his  hand,  and  he  noticed  that  her  own  was 
quite  cold.  She  looked  at  him  wistfully  and  went 
into  her  father's  room. 

"  Kate,"  said  the  Earl,  "  dost  love  this  youth?  " 

"Yes,  my  Lord,"  she  replied,  looking  down  and 
blushing  scarlet. 

"  Then,  Kate,"  he  rejoined  seriously,  "  see  that 
thou  make  him  as  good  and  true  wife  as  thy  mother 
ever  was  to  me." 

The  girl,  with  a  wild  cry,  flew  into  his  arms.  The 
father  drew  her  to  his  heart  as  he  had  done  when  she 
was  an  infant. 

"  Think  not,  Sir  Captain,"  he  said,  "  but  that  't  is  as 
hard  to  give  away  this  maiden  as  't  is  joyous  to  you  to 
take  her.  And  trust  that,  while  my  blessing  goes  with 
you  as  with  her  in  this  matter,  yet  't  will  turn  to  black- 
est curse  if  ye  be  not  ever  to  her  as  true  and  loving, 
as  far  as  may  be,  in  the  troubles  of  life,  as  ye  are  this 
day.  And  now  bid  her  a  fair  good-night,  for  't  is  far 
on  toward  the  morrow ;  and  the  morrow  must  needs 
be  as  long  as  we  may  make  it,  for  your  joy.  Alack, 
't  is  your  last  day  with  her  and  with  us  !  for  how  long, 
indeed,  who  may  tell?" 


THE    COURSE   OF   TRUE   LOVE.  1 85 

The  next  morning  Percy  called  upon  the  Countess 
in  her  bower  before  she  went  to  chapel,  where  she 
spent  the  greater  part  of  her  days  now,  praying  for 
the  safety  of  her  sons  in  the  impending  battle.  She 
received  him  kindly,  but  seemed  not  happy,  only 
simply  resigned  to  his  wooing.  Indeed,  she  ap- 
peared a  bit  querulous,  saying:  "Well,  lad,  thou 
wouldst  make  me  childless,  methinks,  an  my  sons 
come  not  back  from  the  strife.  Nay,  more.  Thou 
dost  ask  us  to  take  thee  as  a  son,  and  then  wilt  take 
thyself  away  again  from  us  and  from  her,  to  tempt 
the  seas  and  the  stricken  field.  Alas,  that  so  many 
fair  youths  should  be  devoured  by  the  sword  !  But, 
praise  to  the  blessed  Saint  Agnes,  thou  takest  her  not 
now!  I  might  not  endure  that,"  added  the  Countess, 
devoutly  crossing  herself. 

Percy  said  in  reply  everything  grateful  and  pleas- 
ant that  he  could  think  of,  and  that  was  a  great  deal, 
for  the  occasion  inspired  him ;  and  the  lady  owned  at 
last  that  she  was  not  so  unhappy  over  the  betrothal. 
Then  she  dismissed  him  kindly,  saying  she  must  to 
her  shrine. 

The  succeeding  morning  neither  the  Countess  nor 
Lady  Kate  appeared  at  the  breakfast,  nor  indeed  did 
Percy  see  the  lady  of  his  heart  until  some  three  hours 
after.  The  Earl  remarked  that  they  were  attending 
a  special  service  that  morning  at  the  chapel. 

"  Methinks,"  he  observed  dryly  to  the  Captain, 
"  that  my  beloved  Countess  will  one  day  be  canon- 
ized.    Such  be  her  devotions,   that  they  suffice   for 


1 86  CENTURIES  APART. 

both  of  us.  But,  sagely  and  justly  speaking,  my  son, 
she  hath  that  in  her  soul,  and  hath  e'er  borne  it  out 
in  her  life,  that  saint  she  is,  to  my  thinking,  already. 
I  could  wish  thee  no  happier  fate  than  hath  mine 
been  with  her.  But  come  with  me  to  the  book-room, 
Captain.  I  would  fain  have  thy  opinion  as  to  a  point 
which  I  debated  several  times,  and  earnestly,  with 
thy  Doctor,  as  thou  didst  ever  call  him,  the  Colonel 
Bruce.  And  now  tell  me  how  it  may  ever  be  that  a 
chirurgeon  should  be  with  your  people  a  man  of 
such  rank  and  honor.  With  us  a  leech  is  but  a 
menial." 

"I  know  it,"  replied  Percy;  "and  in  England, 
to-day,  a  physician  is  not  regarded,  socially,  as  he 
should  be.  With  us,  the  first  gentlemen  study  medi- 
cine at  the  universities,  and  must  necessarily  be  men 
of  science  and  the  highest  education.  In  both  civil 
life,  and  in  the  army,  they  stand  in  the  utmost  respect, 
as  they  should ;  whereas  the  study  of  medicine  and 
surgery  is  of  the  crudest  among  your  leeches,  and 
your  young  men  of  high  rank  would  deem  it  beneath 
them  to  enter  that  profession.  The  rank  in  our  ser- 
vice which  surgeons  have,  is  an  assimilated  rank,  as 
it  is  called,  and  is  decreed  them  in  order  to  put  them 
on  a  proper  footing  of  equality  and  honor  with  our 
officers  who  command  fighting  men.  Dr.  Bruce's 
proper  rank  in  the  staff  of  the  army  is  that  of  Major ; 
but  he  received  the  brevet,  or  honorary  rank  of 
Colonel,  on  account  of  his  gallant  service  on  the 
field.  Do  I  make  myself  understood  by  your  Lord- 
ship?" 


THE    COURSE    OF   TRUE   LOVE.  1 87 

"  Methinks  I  follow  you  as  well  as  may  be,  for  one 
entirely  unused  to  your  ways  and  customs.  But 
nathless  your  Doctor  is  a  wondrous  wise  and  yet  a 
most  modest  and  courtly  gentleman.  He  hath  be- 
witched my  Countess,  and  myself  no  less.  Much 
hath  he  enlightened  me  as  to  the  history  of  the 
world,  and  of  thy  land  in  particular,  and  hath  made 
clear  much  that  had  been  dark  in  these  books. 

"  In  the  reading  of  these  black-letter  volumes, 
naught  hath  moved  me  more  than  the  history  of 
the  wonderful  settlement  and  growth  of  thy  nation. 
And  having  been  a  soldier  myself,  the  story  of  its 
wars  hath  held  me  many  a  night  in  summer,  and 
most  of  the  time  in  our  dark  months.  Of  those 
matters  much  discourse  had  I  with  my  guest,  your 
countryman,  whom,  though  your  enemy,  you  had 
yclept  a  noble  gentleman,  hadst  known  him.  Of 
these  tales,  that  of  your  war  of  the  Revolution  was 
most  moving;  and  in  it  the  deed  of  the  traitor  Bene- 
dict Arnold  gave  me  sharp  reminder  of  the  like 
accursed  dealings  of  a  man  in  this  land  near  a  hun- 
dred years  past  gone.  Truly,  these  happenings  were 
very  nearly  in  the  same  age  of  the  world,  only  a  few 
twelvemonths  apart,  indeed. 

"  My  father  used  to  say  that  the  fiend  went  about 
tempting  men  in  different  parts  of  the  earth  to  similar 
crimes  at  the  same  time.  And  I  thought  well  on 
this  when  I  read  Arnold's  story,  as  like  to  our  case 
in  the  same  matter. 

"Tis  for  me  to  apprise  you  that  there  had  been 


1 88  CENTURIES  APART. 

bloody  war  waged  for  years  betwixt  this  land  and  La 
Nouvelle  France,  touching  an  island  lying  in  the 
strait  between  us,  which  they  had  seized,  and  'twas 
for  our  honor  to  hold.  Both  nations  were  well-nigh 
exhausted,  and  many  barons  had  perished  in  the 
fierce  battles.  At  last  they  sought  aid  of  a  people 
little  known  by  us,  which  lived  in  a  land  stretching 
far  to  eastward  of  La  Nouvelle  France,  up  to  the 
Frozen  Land  on  the  north,  and  down  to  that  branch 
of  the  Warm  Current  which  cutteth  France  in  twain, 
and  which  maketh  the  south  portion  of  their  land 
warm  and  blythe  to  live  in.  This  people,  I  opine, 
were  much  like  the  Muscovites  in  the  time  of  the 
wars  of  the  Roses,  being  barbarous,  fierce,  and  of 
great  valor  in  battle.  The  French  had  oft  been  at 
war  with  them.  They  would  seem  to  be  of  the  same 
race  that  originally  came  —  such  be  the  tradition  — 
to  settle  these  countries,  and  landing  in  the  east, 
afterward  spread  west  over  this  isle.  Our  fathers, 
however,  found  them  here  to  be  not  so  different  from 
European  peoples,  and  they  eftsoon  mingled  with 
our  English  and  became  English  themselves. 

"  Their  Emperor  was  very  warlike,  and  he  sent  a 
large  array  to  help  the  French,  and,  for  the  first  time 
in  our  history,  a  foreign  army  was  on  our  soil.  We 
were  right  sore  beset,  for  they  overran  Cornwall,  and, 
indeed,  all  the  Southern  shires,  and  had  laid  siege  to 
South  London.  The  King,  Geoffrey  Plantagenet,  was 
a  prince  among  princes,  a  knight  of  brightest  honor 
and  valor,  a  saint  and  mighty  warrior   in  one.     But 


THE   COURSE   OF  TRUE  LOVE.  1 89 

he  was  forced  back  by  the  power  of  our  foes  and  by 
the  disaffection  of  the  Western  lords,  who  joined  the 
invader.  He  was,  at  the  time  of  which  I  tell,  in  the 
heart  of  the  land,  marching  with  a  gallant  array  to 
meet  the  foe,  who  were  advancing  in  great  strength 
from  the  West. 

"  The  capital  was  defended  by  a  knight  who  was 
approved  as  one  of  our  bravest  champions.  He  was 
greatly  loved  and  trusted  by  the  King  and  all  the 
land,  and  had  held  the  city  for  many  months  against 
a  vast  French  army,  led  by  the  Prince  of  the  blood. 
All  hearts  had  faith  that  he  would  at  last  force  them 
to  raise  the  siege.  His  name,  which  burnetii  South 
English  lips  to  speak,  was  Waldemar  Fitz-Duncan, 
Earl  of  Cumberland. 

"  The  King,  meanwhile,  had  met  the  foe,  and  had 
overthrown  them  in  a  great  battle,  in  which  he  com- 
pletely destroyed  their  power.  The  slaughter  was 
fearful,  for  he  caught  them  unawares,  betwixt  the 
river  Wye  and  the  sea,  on  Merlin  Moor,  and  not  a 
man  escaped.  He  then  turned  and  marched  with  all 
haste  to  succor  his  capital,  and  had  come  within  two 
days'  march,  when  a  knight,  bloody  with  spurring, 
met  him  on  the  road  with  appalling  tidings.  The 
city  was  yet  safe  and  valiantly  defended,  thanks  to 
Saint  George,  and  Sir  Thomas  Murray,  the  second  in 
command,  who  had  with  skill  and  valor  saved  it  from 
an  awful  doom.  But  Fitz-Duncan,  the  great  Earl  of 
Cumberland,  whom  all  South  England,  with  its  King, 
loved  and  trusted,  was  foul  traitor. 


190  CENTURIES  APART. 

"  How  Murray  came  to  save  the  city  was  in  this 
wise.  The  summer  had  passed,  and  yet  the  siege 
lingered  into  the  autumn,  the  enemy  not  being  able 
to  get  nearer  the  town  than  to  have  taken  the  castles 
of  the  Dragon  and  of  Windsor.  The  walls  were 
stoutly  defended,  and  it  seemed  as  that  the  winter 
would  set  in  before  South  London  were  reduced ;  in 
which  case  the  French  must  abandon  the  siege  and 
take  to  their  shipping,  for  't  is  not  possible  to  fight 
here  in  the  dark  season.  Yet  their  army  was  very 
great,  and  they  were  making  ready  for  a  fierce  attack, 
while  the  garrison  and  inhabitants  were  worn  out 
with  watching,  fighting,  and  famine. 

"  Late  one  night  Sir  Thomas,  who  was  ill  at  ease, 
was  making  the  rounds  of  the  walls  and  towers,  when, 
coming  to  a  tower  called  St.  Agnes'  Gate,  he  was 
sore  amazed  to  find  not  a  sentinel  on  the  walls,  nor, 
as  he  hasted  along,  found  he  a  man-at-arms  within 
the  space  of  many  rods  each  side  of  the  gate  itself. 
He  went  down  to  the  gate  and  found  the  portcullis 
up  and  heavy  timbers  set  beneath  it,  the  drawbridge 
ropes  cut,  and  the  bridge  itself  held  only  by  a  light 
beam,  set  cunningly  so  that  lightest  touch  might 
drag  it  away  and  let  the  bridge  fall.  Instantly  he 
scented  treachery,  yet  spoke  not  aloud,  but  sent  his 
squire  to  haste  for  his  life  to  certain  barons,  that  they 
bring  their  vassals  with  all  speed  to  St.  Agnes'  Gate. 
'And  from  thence,'  he  added,  '  go  fetch  the  noble 
Cumberland  straightway.  Tell  him,  or  he  come,  we 
may  be  lost.' 


THE   COURSE   OF   TRUE  LOVE.  rgi 

"  With  aid  of  his  page  and  a  man-at-arms  with 
him,  the  gate  was  fast  bound  with  the  cut  ropes  and 
broken  chains,  and  the  portcullis  freed  and  dropped. 
He  sent  the  page  to  the  Lord  Mayor  to  have  the  city 
bells  rung  backward,  and  to  order  all  burghers  to  the 
walls;  and  bidding  the  man-at-arms  fly  to  the  next 
tower  and  see  if  it  were  properly  guarded,  he  set 
himself  to  watch  and  wait  at  St.  Agnes'.  'T  was  not 
long  ere  a  man  crept  along  under  the  wall,  and  stood 
looking  at  gate  and  portcullis.  The  knight  stole 
softly  down  from  the  tower  and  stayed  in  the  shadow. 
'  My  Lord  of  Cumberland,'  quoth  the  man  in  a  low 
voice,  '  somewhat  goeth  amiss.  The  portcullis  is 
down  and  the  gate  well  closed.  What  portendeth 
this?  Doth  thy  plan  miscarry?  Nathless  I  have 
done  the  deed  thou  didst  order,  and  the  Baron  Eves- 
ham's men,  who  should  man  these  walls,  are  well 
across  the  town,  far  enow  from  return  in  less  than  an 
hour,  were  they  ordered  back.  The  French  should 
be  here  in  short  space.  But  how  came  the  way 
closed  to  them?' 

"  'Villain  !  '  cried  Murray,  striking  down  the  varlet, 
'tell  me  what  meaneth  this  dastardly  crime?  ' 

"  But  he  had  stunned  the  fellow,  and,  marry,  he  might 
not  speak.  So  then  came  on  the  lords  and  men-at- 
arms  whom  Murray  had  sent  his  squire  to  fetch,  and 
soon  the  walls  were  garrisoned.  And  thereat  the 
bells  clanged  backwards,  and  eftsoon  the  Lord  Mayor 
was  seen  at  the  head  of  the  burghers,  hastening  to 
the  defence.     By  the  light  of  the  torches  (for  't  was 


192  CENTURIES  APART. 

a  black  night  and  a  storm  rising),  Murray  found  the 
man  to  be  a  trusted  favorite  of  Cumberland's,  but 
one  whom  none  other  esteemed.  He  waked  not 
from  his  swoon,  and,  marry,  died  ere  dawn. 

"  But  Sir  Thomas  Murray,  with  grief  and  dread  in  's 
heart,  called  for  horse,  and  galloped  to  the  Earl's  house 
on  Tower  Hill.  And  there  he  found  the  Countess 
bewailing,  but  knowing  naught  of  what  meant  the 
trouble.  When  questioned,  she  said  that  short  space 
before  the  Earl  had  with  marvellous  haste  come  into 
her  bower  and  kissed  her  farewell,  saying:  'All  is 
lost.  I  ride  for  my  life.'  And  then,  descending  to  the 
courtyard,  he  galloped  away  alone ;  and  she,  hearing 
the  bells,  thought  the  town  to  have  been  taken,  and 
that  the  Earl  went  with  all  speed  to  die  in  the  breach, 
like  true  knight.  But  he,  being  false  villain,  rode  to 
the  West  Gate,  where  he  had  ordered  the  power  that 
should  defend  St.  Agnes'  Gate  across  the  town,  and 
sent  them  back  again  galore.  Then  he  ordered  this 
West  Gate  opened  for  him,  saying  he  went  to  observe 
the  foe's  lines,  and  so  rode  away  and  escaped. 

"  Then  Sir  Thomas  took  command,  and  sent  the 
heavy  tidings  to  the  King,  who  marched  fast,  hoping 
to  surprise  the  enemy,  and,  if  that  might  be,  to  take 
the  traitor.  But  these  finding  the  King's  army  upon 
them,  and  the  season  late,  raised  the  siege,  and  hast- 
ing on  board  their  ships,  sailed  away  to  Cornwall, 
where  they  passed  the  winter,  taking  the  false  Cum- 
berland with  them.  There  was  yet  a  month  while 
war    could    be    waged,    and    the    traitor   was    given 


THE   COURSE   OF  TRUE  LOVE.  193 

command  of  an  army  by  the  French  King,  and  he 
laid  waste  with  fire  and  sword  the  shires  of  Devon 
and  West  Sussex,  and  defeated  the  Sheriff  of  Devon 
in  a  fierce  battle,  even  after  the  winter  had  set  in. 
Rut  the  French  King  died  that  winter,  and  his  son 
who  came  to  the  throne  found  his  treasury  empty  and 
his  people  exhausted  by  war.  So  he  made  peace  ere 
spring  opened,  and  promised  to  withdraw  his  troops 
from  South  England.  The  traitor  Cumberland  was 
richly  rewarded,  although  his  plot  for  delivering  the 
capital  into  the  hands  of  the  French  had  miscarried. 
But  he  was  shunned  by  all  honorable  Frenchmen, 
and  'twas  soon  rumored  that  he  had  entered  a 
monastery. 

"  Meanwhile  the  Emperor  of  the  Eastern  barba- 
rians, very  wroth  at  the  destruction  of  his  army,  the 
year  before,  by  King  Geoffrey,  suddenly  invaded 
South  England  with  an  immense  force,  landing  in 
Cornwall  ere  the  French  army  had  set  sail,  and  't  was 
thought  many  of  their  knights  joined  with  him. 

"  He  defeated  the  Earl  of  Devon  in  two  battles, 
and  then  marched  on  South  London,  which  he  carried 
by  assault,  the  brave  Sir  Thomas  Murray,  who  was 
still  governor,  being  among  the  slain.  After,  he  met 
King  Geoffrey  at  the  head  of  the  army  of  his  last 
hope,  and  the  battle  was  fought  nigh  Dead  Man's 
Fens.  It  lasted  until  the  gloaming,  and  then  the 
King,  sore  wounded  himself,  and  the  most  part  of 
his  barons  slain,  was  fain  to  flee  to  northward.  He 
wandered    in   the   forest  and    mountains   for  months, 

13 


194  CENTURIES  APART. 

until  he  could  escape  to  Northumbria,  where  the  Earl 
my  grandsire,  with  the  Northern  lords,  still  held  out 
against  the  invader.  The  King,  who  had  been  hunted 
like  a  wild  beast  all  the  while,  and  with  but  a  faithful 
few  of  his  servants,  at  last  reached  my  grandsire's 
castle  of  Tynewater,  and  here  the  patriot  lords  of  the 
North  and  West  assembled  their  forces  to  strike  one 
last  despairing  blow  for  the  King  and  their  land. 
They  met  the  huge  array  of  the  Emperor  at  Kelpie's 
Ford,  and  the  battle  raged  for  all  the  day,  the  South 
English  being  forced  back  on  all  sides,  till  they  were 
at  last  at  bay  on  Holy  Hill.  There  came  a  lull  in  the 
fight,  and  the  foe  could  be  seen  bringing  up  fresh 
troops  and  making  ready  for  the  final  attack.  King 
Geoffrey  called  his  barons  around  him,  and  told  that 
he  was  aweary  of  time,  unless  they  won  that  day, 
and  he  vowed  to  Saint  George  ne'er  to  leave  the  field 
breathing  in  life. 

"  Then  came  riding  into  the  circle  a  tall  knight  in 
black  armor,  with  visor  down  and  a  monk's  frock  and 
cowl  over  all,  and  spoke  words  of  cheer  to  the  King, 
saying  he  should  taste  victory  and  bathe  his  standard 
in  the  best  blood  of  the  foe,  ere  sunset. 

"'Who  then  mayst  thou  be,  fair  sir?'  quoth  the 
King. 

'"That  may  I  never  tell,  nor  show  my  face,  until 
the  land  be  purged  of  yon  scum,'  replied  the  stranger; 
'  for  my  vow  to  Saint  Constance  of  Victory  forbids. 
But  give  me  leave  to  lead  your  centre,  great  King, 
and  I  ride  to  the  fray  ere  yon  cloud  cross  the  sun.' 


THE    COURSE   OF   TRUE   LOVE.  1 95 

"  '  Be  it  thine,  holy  man,'  replied  Geoffrey,  '  and 
let  us  forward  in  God's  name.'  Then  fell  they  on  the 
enemy.  The  monkish  knight  ne'er  drew  rein  until 
black  night  had  fallen,  and  the  foe  flying  for  many  a 
league,  leaving  their  best  and  bravest,  amid  them  the 
Emperor's  son,  upon  the  field. 

"  After  the  victory  the  King  marched,  eftsoon, 
southward,  retaking  all  the  castles  wrested  from  him 
by  the  barbarians,  and  fighting  four  mighty  battles, 
being  joined  by  many  of  his  lords  and  people. 
Each  was  a  glorious  victory.  The  monkish  knight 
ever  disappeared  after  battle,  and  was  seen  no  more 
until 'twas  time  to  fight  again,  when  he  rode  into 
camp  and  was  e'er  the  first  in  the  attack.  The  King 
and  his  army  began  to  believe  him  a  saint  come  to 
save  them ;  and  when  South  London  was  retaken  and 
the  barbarians  finally  routed,  with  great  slaughter,  in 
the  forest  of  Kent,  Geoffrey  said  to  the  champion  : 

" '  Holy  sir,  now  that  the  invader  be  destroyed, 
may  we  not  look  to  see  thy  face?  And  for  guerdon 
for  thy  mighty  works,  I  will  gladly  step  down  from 
off  my  throne,  and  yield  it  up  to  thee,  if  so  my  people 
will ;  for  an  it  had  not  been  for  thee,  there  had  been 
neither  throne  nor  people  to  abide  here  now.' 

"Rut  the  monkish  knight  answered:  'Ne'er  fell 
words  on  ear  sweeter  than  thine,  O  King,  — that  my 
poor  essay  hath  saved  the  land.  They  be  like  water 
in  the  desert.  But  my  reward  is  already  too  great ; 
yet  have  I  one  boon  to  crave.' 

"  '  'T  is  thine  ! '  cried  Geoffrey ;   '  name  it.' 


10  CENTURIES  APART. 

"  '  Ye  are  here  in  your  capital  with  your  barons. 
Call  your  Parliament.  Let  them  assemble  on  the 
morrow,  such  as  be  here,  at  their  hall  in  the  Minster 
Palace.  Have  a  scaffold,  with  block,  axe,  and  heads- 
man, ready  in  front  of  the  throne.  At  high  noon  will 
I  enter,  and  will  drag  with  me  from  his  hiding-place 
the  foulest  villain  who  ever  trod  South  England. 
Strike  off  his  head  then  and  there,  at  my  word, 
O  King.      Such  boon  I  crave.' 

"  '  Your  answer  shall  best  be  in  the  doing  of  your 
will,  which  I  swear  to  do,  by  my  hope  of  heaven,' 
replied  Geoffrey,  —  nathless,  sore  wondering  at  such 
strange  things. 

"  The  unknown  turned  and  rode  away  in  the 
gloaming.  They  feared  to  follow,  or  to  watch  his 
path.  But  the  King  instantly  had  proclamation  made 
summoning  Parliament  to  meet  on  the  next  day;  and 
as  nigh  all  the  barons  and  gentry  of  the  realm  were 
with  the  King's  army,  likewise  the  most  part  of  the 
spiritual  lords  at  the  capital,  on  the  morrow  the  Par- 
liament assembled  at  the  palace  of  the  Minster,  in 
the  Chamber  of  Audience.  The  assemblage  was  far 
less  than  of  old,  for  the  nobles  had  so  perished  in 
the  wars  that  but  half  their  number  were  left  able 
to  wear  armor.  The  commons  were,  for  like  cause, 
in  no  better  case,  and  the  spiritual  lords,  with  the 
lower  clergy,  had  spared  nor  toil  nor  life  in  the  King's 
service,  and  many  were  dead  upon  the  field ;  for  they 
had  held  it  a  holy  war. 

"  On  that  day,  a  half-hour  ere  noon,  amid  tolling  of 


THE   COURSE   OF   TRUE  LOVE.  1 97 

bells,  the  Black  Monks  issued  from  their  abbey  on 
the  far  side  of  the  river,  in  solemn  procession,  the 
Abbot  at  their  head,  and  paced  o'er  the  bridge  over 
against  the  Minster  Palace.  Their  arms  were  crossed 
on  their  breasts,  their  cowls  drawn  o'er  their  faces,  their 
looks  fixed  on  the  ground.  They  marched  slowly,  to 
the  dread  music  of  the  '  Chant  for  the  Dead.'  In  the 
centre  of  the  procession  was  carried  a  large  crucifix, 
and  behind  that  came  a  lay  brother,  leading  by  a 
halter  around  the  neck  a  tall  monk,  in  brown  cowl 
and  frock,  who  walked  barefoot  despite  the  cold, —  for 
a  light  snow  lay  upon  the  earth,  and  chill  winds  blew 
amain.  There  was  blood  in 's  footprints.  His  face 
was  hid,  in  most  part,  but  a  gray  beard  hung  low  on 
his  breast.  He  could  be  heard  to  join  in  the  chant 
by  the  wondering  multitudes  who  thronged  streets 
and  bridge,  waiting  the  coming  of  the  monkish  knight, 
the  fame  of  whose  exploits  and  of  the  strange  boon 
asked  by  him  of  the  King,  was  abroad  in  the 
city. 

"  The  dismal  procession  moved  up  the  steps  of 
the  Minster  Palace  and  into  the  Chamber  of  Audi- 
ence just  as  the  heavy  bell  was  rung  for  high  noon, 
and  paced  up  the  centre  aisle  still  chanting.  Those 
before  the  crucifix  separated,  forming  two  lines, 
through  which  the  lay  brother  led  the  brown  cowled 
monk  to  the  scaffold  and  block,  which  was  raised  a 
hand's  breadth  only  above  the  floor  in  front  of  the 
throne.  The  Abbot  stepped  forward  and  muttered 
the  prayers  for  the  dying  over  the  brown  monk,  who 


198  CENTURIES  APART. 

knelt;  and  then  the  monks,  still  chanting,  slowly 
marched  out  from  the  hall  again. 

"  The  King  was  on  his  throne  in  royal  ermine,  the 
bishops  in  their  robes,  but  peers  and  commons  were 
in  armor.  All  eyes  were  fixed  upon  the  brown 
monk  as  he  arose  and  faced  the  King,  who,  with 
peers  and  all,  anxiously  awaited  the  coming  of  the 
monkish  knight,  and  marvelled  much  at  what  had 
happed  so  far. 

"  But  the  monk  now  spoke  in  the  deep,  well- 
known  tones,  which  thrilled  all  who  heard,  as  they 
had  done  in  the  weeks  which  had  passed,  in  which 
they  had  been  heard  so  oft  in  the    front  of  battle. 

"  '  Geoffrey  Plantagenet,  stainless  King  of  South 
England,  a  wretch  standeth  before  thee  to  finish 
his  penance,  demanding  the  fulfilment  of  thine  oath 
of  yestreen,  —  to  strike  off  his  head.' 

"  The  King  swift  rose,  and  all  the  assemblage 
likewise. 

"'Nay,  noble  monk  and  knight;  this,  indeed,  be 
carrying  thy  mysterious  penance  too  far !  '  cried 
Geoffrey.  '  Who  mayest  thou  be,  then,  who  vainly 
imaginest  thy  sins  to  require  such  purging,  and  at 
my  hands,  who  would  be  accounted  through  all 
years  to  come  a  monster  of  ungrateful  cruelty  didst 
thou  hold  me  to  my  unhappy  oath?  And  after  thy 
saving  of  my  kingdom  ?  Woe  is  me !  I  fear  me 
thou  'rt  mad.' 

"  '  Look,  then,'  replied  the  monk,  and  he  threw 
off  cowl  and  robe,  which  fell  and  left  his  shoulders 


THE   COURSE   OF   TRIE  LOVE.  1 99 

bare  to  the  waist.  His  body  was  bleeding  from  the 
scourge,  and  from  a  terrible  wound  in  the  side  but 
partly  dressed. 

"  '  I  asked  for  the  headsman's  stroke.  I  had  craved 
rack  and  stake,  for  none  less  were  my  desert;  but 
torture  hath  done  all  that  it  can  for  me.  I  may 
abide  no  more,  for  even  now  am  I  dying.  A  lance- 
point  found  my  side  in  the  fight  at  Kent  Forest 
yestermorn. 

"'What!  I  hear  no  curses!  Do  none  know  me 
yet?  Then  let  avowal  of  my  name  breed  maledic- 
tions. A  year  agone  I  was  Waldemar  Fitz-Duncan, 
Earl  of  Cumberland,  honored  and  beloved.  I  am, 
since,  the   blackest  traitor.' 

"  He  knelt  again  and  laid  his  head  on  the  block. 

"  Men  shrank  back  as  he  pronounced  his  name.  So 
terribly  changed,  so  old  and  gray  was  the  swart 
warrior  of  a  short  year  before,  that  they  with  sore 
difficulty  knew  the  wretched  creature. 

"  The  assemblage  long  held  breath,  and  not  the 
faintest  sound  broke  the  hush.  Then  the  King,  with 
white  face,  cast  one  more  look  of  horror,  execration, 
and  pity  at  the  wretch  at  the  block,  and  signed  to 
the  headsman  to  go.  Geoffrey  himself  averted  his 
gaze,  and,  stepping  from  the  throne,  walked  slowly, 
with  bowed  head,  out  of  the  hall ;  and  nobles,  bishops, 
and  commons  followed  silently,  with  ne'er  a  glance 
backward  at  the  kneeling  man.  My  grandsire  said 
that  all  faces  were  like  ashes,  in  their  horror. 

"  None,  of  gentle   or  churl's    blood,   looked    more 


200  CENTURIES  APART. 

that  day  into  the  hall.  At  midnight  the  Abbot  and 
the  Black  Monks  came  again  ;  and  behold,  the  wretch 
was  dead,  kneeling  with  head  on  block ! 

"  The  Black  Monks  carried  the  body  to  Holy  Hill, 
where  he  had  begun  his  penance  by  saving  a  battle 
that  was,  up  to  his  coming,  lost.  There  was  it  laid 
on  rocks  piled  high  above  the  earth,  for  it  was 
decreed  that  such  as  he  might  ne'er  rest  beneath 
the  soil  of  South  England ;  and  the  ravens  feasted 
on  his  bones.  A  wall  was  built  ten  clothyards  high, 
a  furlong  round  about  the  spot,  and  on  a  huge,  rough 
stone  in  the  east  side,  which  was  nearest  the  battle- 
ground, were  cut  these  words  :  — 

" '  Waldemar  Fitz-Duncan,   Earl  of  Cumberland, 

Baron  of  Severnholme,  Lord  of  Ackworth 

and  Fairleigh. 

" '  Most  gallantly  fought  he  for  King  and 
Fatherland. 

"•Most  accursedly  strove   he,  with  might  and  main, 
to  destroy  King  and  Fatherland. 

'"With  sword  and  heart's  blood  saved  he  King 
and  Fatherland. 

"'Judge  him  who  may!' 

"  Then  the  King  decreed  that  his  name  and  titles 
be  so  hacked  and  cut  out  of  the  stone  that  no  man 
might  read  them.  They  were  blotted  from  the  roll 
of  the  peerage,  and  'twas  ordered  that  none  living 
should  e'er  pronounce  them  more. 


THE   COURSE   OF  TRUE  LOVE.  201 

"  His  sequestered  estates  were  restored  to  his  son, 
because  of  his  last  great  deeds,  but  under  new  and 
strange  titles,  for  the  very  name  of  the  shire  which  was 
his  fief  was  stricken  out  of  the  LordTreasurer's  Book. 

"  His  great-grandson  was  that  Earl  of  Anglesea 
who  fell,  two  sennights  since,  in  battle  for  the  King. 
He  leaveth  no  heir,  and  the  line  is  extinct  with  him." 

As  the  Earl  ended,  Percy  drew  a  long  breath,  and 
after  a  time  said,  "  I  do  not  believe  that  ever  in  the 
world  a  stranger  story  was  told.  Such  circumstances 
as  you  relate  must  stand  alone  in  history." 

"  Methinks  you  have  the  right  of  it,"  replied  the 
old   man. 

At  that  moment  the  door  opened  and  his  daughter 
entered.  The  girl  looked  very  sorrowful,  and  her 
eyes  were  red.  She  sat  down  near  Percy,  who  had 
risen  to  receive  her. 

"  Come,  Kate,  lass,  wear  not  such  snowy  cheeks 
on  the  last  days  of  thy  lover's  stay.  Send  him  not 
abroad  believing  that  thou  'It  pine  away  ere  his 
return.  A  daughter  of  Percy  of  Northumberland 
should  cheer  her  soldier  who  marcheth  away  to 
strike  for  honor  and  glory.  So  much  the  brighter 
shall  flash  his  sword  in  the  battle,  if  he  seeth  her 
smile  in  its  shining  steel,  and  the  greener  the  laurel 
that  he  will  lay  at  her  feet  when  he  shall  claim  his 
bride." 

"  It  may  be  so,  my  Lord,  so  sea  and  battle  spare 
him,"  half  sobbed  the  maiden. 


202  CENTURIES  APART. 

"  Fie,  Kate  !  it  vexeth  me  to  see  thee  thus.  Pluck 
up  heart,  child.     Where  's  thy  mother?  " 

"  She  spendeth  day  and  night  at  chapel,  sir,  pray- 
ing for  my  brothers,  since  they  marched  away." 

"  Let  her  pray  then,  first,  that  they  do  their  devoir 
manfully,  and  secondly  for  their  lives.  I  go  to  seek 
her." 

When  he  had  gone,  Percy  took  the  girl's  hand,  and 
sat  gazing  at  her  with  too  full  a  heart  to  speak  at 
once. 

"Oh,"  she  wailed,  "'tis  so  cruel,  this  parting! 
You  go  not  as  other  ladies'  true  loves  go,  only  to 
battle;  but  you  go  out  of  my  world,  and  into  many 
perils  beyond  those  of  war.  If  you  survive  the 
battle's  shock,  how  may  I  know  that  you  can  e'er 
find  your  way  back  again  to  me  through  trackless 
seas  and  cruel  ice?  And  when  you  once  again  look 
upon  the  fair  of  your  land,  their  smiles  shall  look  so 
bright  to  you  that  you  cannot  see  the  longing  eyes  of 
poor  Kate  Percy  gazing  northward  through  the  sea 
mists,  ever  watching,  waiting,  for  him  who  cometh 
not." 

"  You  say  truly,"  he  replied,  "  that  the  parting  is 
cruel.  It  is  cruel  enough  and  bitter  enough;  but 
I  pray  you  not  to  add  to  its  bitterness  by  being  so 
unkind  as  to  suggest  that  I  can  be  so  fickle  as  you 
say.  I  am  not  of  those,  dearest  Kate,  who  '  protest 
too  much;'  my  heart  is  not  upon  my  sleeve. 
Indeed,  it  is  so  heavy  at  leaving  you  that  it  weighs 
upon  my  speech,  and  I  can  say  nothing  as  I  would 


THE   COURSE   OF   TRUE  LOVE.  203 

wish  to  say  to  you  in  the  way  of  comfort  and  cheer. 
But  surely  this  is  not  as  it  should  be.  We  are  young, 
and  should  display  the  characteristics  of  youth,  — 
hope  and  courage.  Certainly  that  is  the  best  philoso- 
phy; and  we  shall  be  the  happier.  Now  promise  me, 
bonny  Kate,  that  you  will  try  to  be  hopeful  and 
happy." 

"  I  promise  to  make  the  essay,"  she  replied,  with 
a  sigh;  "but  ever  there  sitteth  at  my  side  a  dark 
shadow,  which  I  may  not  banish." 

With  a  mighty  effort,  he  threw  off  his  own  depres- 
sion, and  taking  her  into  the  library,  or  "  book-room," 
as  they  called  it,  he  read  from  several  authors,  choos- 
ing the  brightest  and  most  cheery  subjects.  He  was 
charming  in  conversation  when  aroused,  and  after  a 
while  he  managed  to  lighten  her  heart  and  even  to 
make  her  merry  again.  After  the  dinner,  he  walked 
with  her  along  the  seashore,  talking  of  his  land,  and 
describing  everything  that  he  could  think  of  that 
would  be  strange  and  interesting  to  her  when  he 
should  carry  her  away  to  that  wonderful  home  of  his 
beyond  the  ice  and  the  great  sea.  He  talked  so 
enthusiastically  that  she  passed  the  afternoon  as  if  in 
a  delightful  dream.  I  suspect  that  he  did  not  omit 
all  the  lovemaking  which  the  circumstances  favored 
and  demanded.  T  would  have  been  exceedingly 
unlike  him  to  have  failed  in  this  respect. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

FAREWELL,    FAREWELL,   MY   OWN   TRUE   LOVE. 

He  turned  his  charger  as  he  spake, 

Upon  the  river  shore, 
He  gave  his  bridle-reins  a  shake, 
Said,  "  Adieu  for  evermore, 
My  love ! 
And  adieu  for  evermore." 

Rokeby. 

The  next  day  is  referred  to  by  Arthur  Percy  in  his 
diary  as  the  sweetest  and  saddest  which  he  had  ever 
known.  Every  hour  was  spent  with  Katharine  Percy. 
The  Doctor  had  left  his  second  horse  for  the  Captain's 
use,  the  same  which  he  had  had  on  the  day  of  the 
hunt,  and  he  rode  out  with  her  in  the  morning,  tak- 
ing wood-paths,  and  by  her  special  wish  they  followed 
the  river  bank  for  some  miles,  visiting  the  spot  where 
he  had  saved  her  from  the  infuriated  stag.  She 
wanted  to  linger  here  for  a  long  time.  It  was  a 
beautiful  place,  and  a  warm  and  lovely  day.  The 
foliage  was  well  out,  and  wild  flowers  of  many  species 
decked  the  moors  and  meadows,  or  nestled  in  the 
forest  dells.  Very  few  words  were  spoken  by  either 
during  the  whole  morning.  At  the  little  rocky  cliff 
where  the  stag  had  turned  at  bay  on  that  eventful 
day,  the  maiden  sprang  lightly  from  her  saddle,  and 


FAREWELL,   MY  OWN  TRUE  LOVE.        205 

sat  down  upon  a  rock  by  a  little  brook,  which,  leap- 
ing and  tumbling  down  the  steep  descent  among  the 
trees,  filled  the  air  about  with  the  murmur  of  its 
music.  Percy  of  course  followed  her,  sitting  by  her 
side.  "  Dame  Nature,"  he  remarked,  "  smiles  upon 
our  farewell  hours.  What  mocking  there  is  after  all 
in  this  beauty  !  " 

"  I  am  a  child  of  the  wild-wood,"  she  replied  sadly. 
"  I  love  everything  about  me,  in  forest  or  in  meadow 
or  in  moor.  But  although  I  see  the  sunlight  dancing 
so  blythely  on  yon  wavelets  in  the  river,  and  hear  the 
cries  of  bird  on  bough,  and  the  gurgle  of  this  rivulet 
over  its  mossy  stones,  and  drink  the  breath  of  these 
flowers,  yet  to-day  to  me  the  brook  sings  a  Mi- 
serere, the  south  wind's  sighs  are  but  sobbing,  the 
birds'  minstrelsy  but  an  unending  wail,  the  shadow 
hangs  dark  o'er  the  sunbeam.  Well-a-day !  ne'er 
tasted   I   before  the  like  bitterness  in  my  tears  !  " 

"  O  sweet  Kate,"  Percy  said  quickly,  "  I  was  wrong 
to  set  the  note  to  a  sad  key.  Do  not  let  our  last 
hours  together  pass  in  grief.  Let  us,  rather,  think 
on  the  happy  time  which  is  coming,  when  I  return, 
and  we  part  no  more  thereafter." 

But  a  shadow  indeed  was  over  the  poor  girl  which 
might  not  be  dissipated ;  and  while  it  seemed  to  be 
her  only  consolation  to  keep  close  to  him  every 
moment,  yet  all  was  but  bitter-sweet  to  her,  —  and  to 
him.  It  lasted  so  all  the  clay,  and  until  a  late  hour, 
when  they  parted  for  the  night. 

They  had  been  with  the  Earl  during  all  the  earlier 


206  CENTURIES  APART. 

part  of  the  evening,  and  he  had  tried  to  rally  and 
cheer  them ;  but  his  own  anxieties  were  heavy. 
Scarce  a  word  had  come  since  his  sons  and  retainers 
had  marched,  and  the  lack  of  tidings  seemed  very 
strange  and  ominous.  As  for  the  Countess,  she  had 
redoubled  her  service  at  chapel,  and  was  hardly 
visible  at  all. 

Percy  slept  but  little  that  night.  The  next  day, 
after  a  dinner  at  which  the  Earl  and  Countess  were 
both  present,  he  prepared  for  immediate  departure. 
The  old  nobleman  and  his  lady  had  done  everything 
possible  to  make  his  stay  pleasant  while  he  was  there 
as  a  guest.  But  as  they  looked  upon  these  things 
in  that  country,  he  was  now  regarded  and  parted 
with  as  a  son.  Nothing  was  neglected  which  could 
be  done  for  his  comfort  and  safety  on  the  way.  The 
Earl  had  caused  six  stout  retainers,  under  the  sene- 
schal Eric  Danbold,  to  be  ready  to  escort  him  as  far 
as  the  Ben-Ardlac  country  in  the  mountains,  where 
the  chief  Ruval  Ben-Ardlac,  otherwise  Lord  Dacre, 
had  begged  him  by  messenger  to  rest  for  a  few  days 
at  his  "  poor  castle  of  Eagle's  Crag,"  where,  in  the 
absence  of  the  chief  himself,  his  mother,  the  Lady 
Dacre,  and  his  sister  would  most  happily  welcome 
him.  There  he  would  find  guides  and  trusty  hench- 
men to  escort  him  to  the  confines  of  the  White  Forest 
on  the  Norman  Way.  Percy  had  accepted  with 
thanks  this  courteous  offer,  the  more  gladly  that  his 
strength  was  by  no  means  restored,  and  he  was  doubt- 
ful   as  to  his  ability  to  make  the   journey  back  to 


FAREWELL,  MY  OWN  TRUE  LOVE.        207 

the  American  camp  without  at  least  one  rest  by 
the  way. 

The  young  man  found  himself  overcome  with 
emotion  when  he  tried  to  express  his  thanks  for  the 
kindness  and  hospitality  shown  him,  and  for  the 
incomparably  greater  consideration,  the  gift  of  their 
daughter.  He  was  utterly  unable  to  say  what  he 
would  have  wished.  The  farewells  were  at  last 
spoken  to  the  Earl  and  the  Countess  and  to  the 
household,  and  the  party  set  out.  It  consisted 
of  the  seneschal  and  his  men,  Percy's  servant,  the 
trooper  left  by  Captain  Pelham  to  attend  him,  and 
the  Lady  Kate,  who  proposed  to  ride  with  him  some 
miles,  with  two  attendants.  Strange  to  say,  he  had 
rather  that  the  distress  of  parting  had  been  over  at 
the  castle,  thinking  that  it  would  be  less  painful  to 
her,  as  well  as  to  him.  But  the  maiden  seemed  to 
feel  that  she  must  be  in  his  presence  to  the  very  last 
moment  that  it  were  possible,  and  the  Earl  had  con- 
sented to  her  going.  So  they  started  away  on  the 
afternoon  of  a  day  even  brighter  than  the  preceding. 
They  took  the  road  along  the  cliff  and  soon  entered 
the  shade  of  the  forest.  Lady  Kate  ordered  Eric 
Danbold  to  ride  forward  with  his  men,  and  to  keep 
about  a  mile  in  advance.  "  And,  Arthur,"  she  said, 
"  bid  thy  fellows  to  attend  us  well  in  front,  and  not 
to  follow.  I  would  that  we  may  be  free  from  their 
spying  for  the  brief  space  left  to  us." 

Percy  was  only  too  glad  to  do  so,  and  they  two 
rode  slowly  on.     After  a  short  mile  had  been  trav- 


208  CENTURIES  APART. 

ersed,  they  left  the  highway,  or  "  Earl's  Way  "  as  it 
was  called,  and  took  to  a  wood-path. 

"  Methought,"  said  the  maiden,  blushing,  "that 
't  would  be  blyther  to  go  by  this  road  to  the  Heronry, 
where  we  part,  than  to  keep  the  Earl's  Way,  e'en 
though  't  were  less  distance." 

The  young  man,  riding  close  by  her  side,  expressed 
his  gratitude  to  her  in  a  manner  more  eloquent  and 
acceptable  than  spoken  words  could  have  shown. 
They  rode  slowly  along  through  the  beautiful  wood, 
hand  in  hand,  and  for  a  long  time  silently.  At  last 
Percy,  suddenly  rousing  himself,  mentally  anathe- 
matized the  selfishness  of  his  own  gloomy  sadness, 
and  strove  to  talk  brightly  with  her  about  their  future 
prospects.  But  say  what  he  would,  and  she  listened 
eagerly;  do  what  he  would,  and  she  accepted  with 
feverish  earnestness  of  love  every  attention,  every 
touch,  every  caress,  —  yet  she  was  too  surely  under 
a  shadow  which  even  he  might  not  charm  from 
her  soul.  And  so  they  wound  along  the  forest  path 
until,  all  too  soon,  they  came  out  in  a  meadow 
which,  surrounded  on  all  sides  but  one  with  woods, 
widened,  in  rising  to  higher  ground,  to  a  moor, 
through  which  ran  the  Earl's  Way.  This  road  en- 
tered the  wood  a  mile  or  so  further  on,  turning  to 
the  right  and  leading  up  a  steep,  rocky  hill.  At  this 
point  Eric  Danbold  and  his  party  were  standing 
about  their  horses  or  lying  upon  the  greensward. 

The  maiden  drew  up  her  horse,  and  turned,  trem- 
bling and   pale,  to  Percy.     "This  is  the  Heronry," 


FAREWELL,    MY  OWN   TRUE  LOVE.       209 

she  said  faintly.     "  Yonder  awaits  your  train.     'T  is 
the  place  and  hour  of  our  parting." 

He  dismounted  and  lifted  the  girl  from  her  saddle. 
They  sat  down  upon  a  fallen  tree  and  gazed  into 
each  other's  faces.  She  never  took  her  eyes  off  him 
while  they  remained  there,  for  a  full  hour.  His 
words,  her  tears,  were  for  each  other  only,  —  not  for 
us  to  know.  Finally  he  took  off  a  watch,  and  hang- 
ing the  chain  about  her  neck,  opened  the  case  and 
showed  her  inside  one  cover  a  photograph  of  him- 
self, in  the  other  cover  being  an  inscription.  The 
photograph  he  had  the  day  before  managed  cleverly 
to  remove  from  a  card,  and  to  fasten  it  into  the  back 
of  the  case.     The  inscription  had  been,  — 

"  Catherine  to  Arthur, 
"  Christmas,  1862." 

Besides  these  words  there  were  these  others :  — 

"Arthur  to  Kate, 
"  Yuletide,   1S64." 

"  It  will  not  be  Christmas  for  some  time  yet,  Kate," 
he  said  ;  "  but  I  thought  you  would  be  happier  to 
have  it  as  a  Christmas  gift,  as  it  was  made  to  me." 

The  girl  was  overcome  by  wonder,  joy,  and  grief. 
As  soon  as  she  could  speak  she  said :  — 

"  But  this  looketh  not  as  the  watch  you  showed 
me  a  sennight  since,  which  you  opened,  and  told  me 
all    concerning   the    marvellous    machinery    and    all. 

M 


2IO  CENTURIES  APART. 

And  who,"  she  asked,  a  little  suspiciously,  "was  the 
Catherine  whose  name  is  inscribed  here?" 

"  My  little  sister,"  he  replied.  "  No,  this  is  not 
the  watch  I  generally  carry.  Here  that  is.  But  I 
value  that  one  so  very  much  that  I  always  take  it 
with  me.  And  because  little  Catherine  Percy  gave 
it  me  as  a  parting  gift,  with  the  best  love  of  a  sister, 
so  now  I  give  it  to  my  little  Kate  Percy  as  a  parting 
gift,  with  the  best  and  dearest  love  of  her  lover. 

"  I  had  those  words  engraved  on  it  yesterday,  my 
darling,  when  I  went  down  into  the  town  for  a  half- 
hour.     The  goldsmith  has  done  it  well." 

"  Oh,  Arthur,"  she  said,  holding  the  watch  to  her 
heart,  and  gazing  through  and  through  him  as  it 
seemed,  "  how  much  more  is  this  beauteous  gift  to 
me  that  it  hath  thy  face  in  it!  Oh,  how  much  — 
how  is  this,  Eric  Danbold?"  she  said  imperiously, 
and  turning  sharply,  with  cheeks  burning,  to  the 
intruder. 

"  I  cry  you  pardon,  my  Lady,  and  you,  my  Lord 
Captain,"  replied  Eric,  who  had  ridden  up,  and  sat, 
bonnet  in  hand,  upon  his  steed ;  "  but 't  is  ill  crossing 
the  Elfin's  Ford  after  nightfall.  The  water  be  deep, 
the  way  treacherous ;  and  yet,  perchance,  more  ill  is 
it  in  me  to  call  you  to  horse  away  from  my  Lady." 

"  Oh,  no,  faithful  Eric  !  "  cried  the  maiden.  "  Go, 
go,  Arthur !  I  would  not  you  crossed  that  ford  after 
nightfall,  for  my  soul !  'T  is  haunted.  Indeed,  now 
I  ride  with  thee  to  the  ford,  for  I  must  see  thee 
across  safely." 


FAREWELL,   MY  OWN  TRUE  LOVE.        211 

"  No,  no  !  my  darling,"  he  said  ;  "  I  could  not  have 
you  abroad  with  only  two  attendants  after  nightfall, 
as  you  will  be —  "  But  she  interrupted  passionately, 
"  I  needs  must  and  shall  go  with  thee." 

Then  he  replied,  with  a  wild  thrill  of  joy  at  having 
her  longer  with  him,  "  I  will  consent  to  your  going 
only  upon  one  condition,  —  that  Eric  Danbold  and 
his  men-at-arms  shall  leave  me  at  the  ford  and  guard 
you  back  to  the  castle." 

"  But,"  said  Eric,  "  my  Lord  ordered  me  to  see 
his  guest  into  the  hands  of  Lady  Dacre  at  Eagle's 
Crag." 

"  Eric,"  replied  Percy,  "  you  know  that  the  Ben- 
Ardlac  will  have  a  guide  at  the  further  side  of  the 
ford  to  meet  me.  I  shall  be  well  cared  for.  But 
your  young  Lady  must  be  guarded  with  all  your 
strength  back  to  Ravensclyffe.  She  will  clear  you 
from  blame  with   his  Lordship." 

"  I  know  you  are  right,  my  Lord  Captain,"  replied 
the  seneschal,  dubiously;  "  but  yet  I  would  fain  have 
my  Lady  ride  back  from  here.  The  way  is  long,  and 
night  will  be  far  spent  ere  her  return.  My  Lord  and 
Lady  will  chafe  sorely,  and  reckon  roundly  with  me 
an  she  ride  to  the  ford." 

"And  yet  will  I  go!"  cried  the  maiden.  "No  more 
words,  Eric.     Let  us  set  out." 

The  seneschal  sighed  at  his  young  Lady's  wilful- 
ness, but  rejoined  his  men,  and  the  lovers  rode  on 
slowly  for  a  while.  Still  the  lady  was  ill  at  ease. 
Finally    she    said,    "  I    prithee,    let    us    haste.     'T  is 


212  CENTURIES  APART. 

cruelty  itself  that  it  be  meet,  but  I  fear  so  much  that 
treacherous  ford  —  and  —  and  —  the  elfin  who  haunts 
it,"  she  added,  looking  down,  for  she  knew  that  her 
lover  laughed  at  such  fancies.  He  did  smile.  "  My 
darling,"  he  said,  "  I  am  used  to  real  dangers." 

"  But  now,"  she  said  wistfully,  "  you  must  be  care- 
ful for  my  sake.  Promise  me  with  all  faith  that  you 
will,"  she  said  earnestly. 

"  I  promise  you  that  and  all  else  that  I  may,  for 
your  joy,"  he  replied  gently. 

It  was  near  to  the  very  late  twilight  when  they 
reached  the  ford,  after  a  long  and  tiresome  ride.  It 
was  on  a  wide  stream,  with  rapids  above  and  below  a 
narrow  shallow  space.  The  forest  covered  the  hither 
bank.  On  the  other  side  was  a  wild,  rocky  height, 
up  which  the  road  wound  until  it  was  lost  to  sight 
amid  huge  bowlders.  Their  men  were  waiting  at  the 
water-side,  and  a  mountaineer  on  a  small  active  horse 
was  with  them.  He  was  the  guide  sent  to  conduct 
Percy  to  the  Eagle's  Crag. 

Kate  Percy  and  her  lover  stopped  at  a  little  glade 
not  far  from  the  stream,  and  there  they  bid  each 
other  the  last  farewell. 

Then  he  rode  rapidly  to  the  ford,  and  begging 
Danbold  to  return  as  swiftly  as  possible,  and  to  have 
every  care  of  the  maiden,  he  made  the  seneschal  and 
all  his  men  handsome  presents  of  money,  shook 
hands  with  the  faithful  fellow,  and  descended  with  his 
own  two  men  and  the  guide  into  the  ford,  —  which 
was  crossed  safely,  —  and  then  he  turned  upon  the 


FAREWELL,   MY  OWN  TRUE  LOVE.        213 

further  shore.  She  was  sitting  upon  her  horse  at 
the  edge  of  the  ford,  gazing  at  him  through  a  field- 
glass  which  he  had  given  her.  Her  hat  was  off,  her 
beautiful  hair  hung  in  a  long  rich  braid,  her  cheeks 
pale  as  snow.  He  sat  and  looked  at  her  until  the 
fast  falling  gloaming  hid  her  from  sight.  Then  with 
a  last  wave  of  the  hand,  which  she  could  just  see 
to  return,  he  turned  and  galloped  rapidly  from  the 
spot. 


CHAPTER   IX. 

THE   EAGLE'S    CRAG. 

Let  foeman  reck  full  sorely  ere 
He  rouse  the  ruthless  Mountain  Bear 
Who  lightly  sleeps  in  gloomy  lair; 
For  when  he  raging  wakes,  —  beware  ! 

From  the  Battle  Chant  of  the 

Clan  Ben-Ardlac. 

ARTHUR  PERCY  dashed  recklessly  forward  as  if 
trying  to  outstrip  his  own  misery,  not  speaking  nor 
looking  at  anything  as  they  sped  along,  till  the  pant- 
ing of  the  horses  on  the  steep-ascending  mountain 
road  admonished  him  to  slacken  the  rate  of  speed. 
Then  the  guide  rode  to  his  side  and  said  respectfully, 
but  with  a  strange  accent  and  in  broken  English : 

"  Pardon,  my  Lord,  but  way  hard,  steep,  long. 
Horses  no  wind.  Dey  be  sick,  sir."  Indeed,  the 
animals  were  sorely  distressed,  and  there  seemed 
no  end  to  the  ascent.  It  was  growing  cold,  too. 
Percy  tried  to  open  a  conversation  with  the  man,  but 
it  proved  impossible  for  them  to  understand  one 
another,  and  the  fellow  soon  said  again :  — 

"  Pardon,  my  Lord !  way  steep,  dark.  Denault 
know  way.  Go  first.  My  Lord  no  see  way." 
Percy  nodded,  and  the  man  placed  himself  in  front. 


THE  EAGLE'S  CRAG.  215 

It  was  time  indeed,  for  they  had  entered  upon  a 
dangerous  path.  His  horse  was  unused  to  mountain 
climbing,  and  it  was  all  he  could  do  to  keep  the 
animal  close  behind  the  guide's  little  beast,  which 
clambered  up  rough  places  and  clung  to  the  rocks 
like  a  cat.  The  tall  American  horse  stumbled  ever 
and  anon,  and  once  on  the  verge  of  a  precipice, 
where  his  rider  had  much  ado  to  recover  him  and 
avoid  a  plunge  over  the  brink,  where  the  fall  would 
have  been  destruction.  Percy's  men  kept  along  with 
greater  facility,  for  they  were  mounted  upon  native 
horses  more  used  to  such  service. 

It  was  midnight  by  the  hour,  when  they  arrived  on 
a  plateau  overgrown  by  forest.  To  the  left,  far 
down,  the  reflection  of  the  stars  and  of  a  faint  aurora 
were  visible  in  the  quiet  waters  of  a  wide  and  appar- 
ently long  lake.  In  turning  a  point  of  rocks  they 
came  upon  a  straggling  village  of  huts,  the  inhabi- 
tants of  which  were  doubtless  wrapped  in  slumber; 
for,  apart  from  the  howling  of  dogs,  there  was  no 
sound.  They  climbed  a  steep,  rocky,  winding  ascent, 
with  abrupt  and  unscalable  side-walls,  and  suddenly 
emerged  upon  an  open  space  of  a  few  acres,  where  a 
tall  tower  stood  wrapped  in  gloom  upon  the  brink  of 
a  cliff.  Lights,  however,  gleamed  in  two  or  three 
casements,  and  upon  their  halting  at  the  drawbridge 
and  the  guide  sounding  a  horn,  flambeaux  shone  in 
the  hands  of  warders,  and  the  rattling  of  the  chains 
was  heard.  The  gates  on  the  further  side  of 
the  moat  opened.     The   little    party  rode  in,  being 


2l6  CENTURIES  APART. 

received  by  a  man  evidently  of  some  position,  who 
bowed  low  to  Percy,  with  a  welcome  in  extremely 
difficult  English.  The  guide  withdrew,  being  grati- 
fied with  a  gold-piece  from  the  hand  of  the  Captain, 
and  expressing  his  satisfaction  in  most  incomprehen- 
sible dialect. 

The  man  who  had  come  forward  gave  a  guttural 
word  of  command  to  the  warders  at  the  gate,  and 
then  said  to  Percy,  "  My  Lady  waits  to  greet  her 
guest,"  in  good  English  enough,  but  with  slow  and 
strange  intonation.  The  Captain  dismounted,  and 
was  conducted  by  this  seneschal,  as  he  proved,  to  a 
large  door  at  the  base  of  the  principal  tower,  which 
a  porter  opened  at  their  approach.  His  conductor 
stopped  outside  and  called  into  the  hall,  — 

"  A  guest  of  the  Ben-Ardlac  seeketh  hospitality. 
The  noble  Captain  Arthur  Percy." 

After  this  singular  announcement  the  official  signi- 
fied to  Percy  that  he  was  to  enter.  So  he  stepped 
into  the  hall,  which  was  a  long,  low  apartment, 
lighted  by  torches  in  the  hands  of  wild-looking 
clansmen,  mostly  boys  of  twelve  to  fifteen.  Near 
the  entrance  stood  a  lady  in  black,  of  perhaps  fifty 
years  of  age.  She  was  handsome  and  dignified,  with 
a  melancholy  air.  She  stepped  forward  with  a 
pleasant  smile  and  extended  her  hand,  saying:  — 

"  The  Captain  Percy  is  a  welcome  and  looked- 
for  guest  of  the  Ben-Ardlac.  May  he  find  himself 
in  good  health  and  happiness  as  he  crosseth  our 
threshold  !  " 


THE  EAGLE'S  CRAG.  2\J 

Percy  took  the  hand  and  with  a  deep  reverence 
kissed  it,  as  he  had  observed  this  to  be  the  custom  of 
the  country,  and  replied  as  became  an  American 
gentleman,  adding  that  he  hardly  knew  how  to 
express  his  gratitude  fitly  for  the  great  kindness  of 
the  Lady  Dacre,  as  well  as  that  of  Lord  Dacre  her 
son,  in  favoring  him  with  a  resting-place  in  their 
castle  on  his  way  to  the  American  camp.  By  an 
accident,  he  said,  which  lately  befell  him,  he  was 
rendered  unfit  to  make  the  whole  journey  in  one 
unbroken  march. 

"  As  '  Lady  Dacre,'  you  address  me,"  said  the  lady, 
mournfully.  "  'T  is  a  name  not  used  here.  I  was 
indeed  the  Lady  Dacre  once,  but  now  I  am  only 
Helen  Ben-Ardlac,  widow  of  one  chieftain  and  mother 
of  another,  of  this  brave  and  devoted  clan  who 
are  all  the  vassals  left  to  the  unhappy  wife  and  out- 
lawed son  of  one  of  South  England's  noblest  barons, 
butchered  at  the  block  by  the  tyrant." 

"Alas!  Madam,"  replied  Percy,  "I  heard  the  sad 
story  from  your  friends  the  Percies  of  Northumber- 
land." 

"  Our  friends  the  Percies !  "  rejoined  the  lady, 
bitterly.  "  Ah  !  our  friends  indeed  !  For  almost  a 
generation  have  our  friends'  lances  gone  to  the  hearts 
of  the  Ben-Ardlacs  on  the  bloody  field.  And  the 
Ben-Ardlac  sword  hath  given  Northumbria  many  a 
widow.  But,"  she  added  more  softly,  "  perhaps  that 
may  be  done  with  and  over  forever.  This  clan  of  the 
Percies   are   allies,  peradventure,  to  weld  alliance  to 


2l8  CENTURIES  APART. 

friendship  by  blows  struck  side  by  side  for  the  right 
to  exist.  For  't  is  come  to  that  now  for  the  proud 
Percy  as  well  as  for  the  poor  mountaineer.  But 
Heaven  forgive  me,  lad  !  here  I  stand  with  idle  words, 
keeping  thee  from  food  and  rest,  and  't  is  midnight, 
and  thou  a  wounded  man  !  Come  with  me  to  a  bower 
where  a  simple  refection  is  prepared ;  and  with  no 
more  ceremony  at  this  late  hour  shalt  thou  sup; 
then  to  rest,  of  which  thou  hast  full  need,  I  warrant 
me  forsooth." 

She  gave  him  her  hand  with  the  grace  of  a  princess, 
that  he  might  conduct  her  to  the  bower.  It  was 
a  room  at  the  side  of  the  hall,  evidently  her  salon, 
so  to  speak.  On  a  table  was  a  substantial  meal  of 
venison  pasty  and  game,  bread,  some  preserved  fruits, 
and  the  sour  wine  of  the  country  as  well  as  the  light 
beer.  There  were  three  seats  placed  at  table,  and  as 
they  entered  the  room  a  lady  who  had  been  standing 
in  the  recess  of  a  casement  came  forward,  and  proved 
to  be  a  girl  of  some  eighteen  years.  Percy  did  not 
need  now  to  be  reminded,  after  he  had  made  her  a 
gallant  bow,  that  it  was  proper  for  him  to  take  her 
hand  and  kiss  her  cheek.  No  young  man  requires 
more  than  one  lesson  in  that  line  before  he  becomes 
an  adept.  She  received  his  courtesy  with  a  becoming 
blush.  While  this  had  been  going  on  Lady  Dacre 
had  said,  — 

"  My  daughter,  Mistress  Vivienne  Ben-Ardlac,  hath 
the  honor  of  knowing  Captain  Arthur  Percy,  of 
America." 


THE  EAGLE'S  CRAG.  219 

She  dropped  a  swift  and  graceful  courtesy,  and 
they  all  sat  at  table.  He  observed  that  the  ladies  ate 
but  lightly;  but  he  did  full  justice  to  the  viands,  for 
Percy  was  a  veteran  soldier,  and  never  allowed  his 
feelings  to  interfere  with  his  appetite,  —  wise  fellow. 
Lady  Dacre  plied  him  with  questions  regarding  his 
home  and  country,  the  American  army,  the  circum- 
stances which  had  led  to  its  presence  in  South  Eng- 
land, etc.,  and  in  fact  exhibited  a  full  share  of  that 
curiosity  which  at  once  distinguishes  and  enhances 
the  qualities  of  the  sex. 

The  young  lady  said  but  little,  but  Percy  noticed 
that  she  observed  him  closely,  although  with  quiet 
self-possession  and  a  cold  eye ;  while  he,  with  well- 
bred  discrimination,  took  note  of  her  appearance  and 
manner. 

She  was  a  decided  brunette,  of  medium  height, 
although  the  slightness  and  lithe  grace  of  her  form 
made  her  appear  taller  than  she  was.  Her  hair  was 
magnificent  in  mass,  and  in  its  deep,  rich  brown, 
almost  black.  It  hung  in  a  heavy  braid,  quite  to  her 
feet.  Her  complexion  was  dark  and  soft,  and  there 
was  a  rich  bloom  upon  her  cheek.  Her  lips  were 
thin,  and  of  a  bright  scarlet  hue.  The  eyes  were 
superb,  and  singularly  changeable,  at  times  appearing 
quite  black,  while  once  in  a  while  as  she  looked  at 
him  quickly  they  turned  to  the  fiery  color  which  sun- 
light brings  out  in  brown  tourmaline. 

There  was  an  atmosphere  of  fascination  about  her 
which    contrasted    strangely    with    her    coldness    of 


2  20  CENTURIES  APART. 

manner,  and  which  puzzled  him  slightly.  He  invol- 
untarily compared  her  in  his  mind  with  Kate  Percy; 
and  that  consideration  bringing  again  to  his  thoughts 
the  picture  which  was  ever  latent  there,  he  grew 
silent,  reserved,  and  a  bit  sick  at  heart.  Finally  he 
mustered  up  courage  to  address  her. 

"  Lady  Kate  Percy  told  me,"  he  said,  "  that  Miss 
Ben-Ardlac  was  at  the  school  with  her  at  the  convent 
in  La  Nouvelle  France.  I  felt  almost  as  if  I  must 
know  you  instantly  from  the  charming  description  of 
you  with  which  she  favored  me,  and  which  I  now 
see  was  by  no  means  overdrawn,"  he  continued  with 
a  bow. 

The  girl  smiled  coldly  and  said:  "  Yes,  Kate  Percy 
and  I  were  dear  friends  at  the  convent  school.  I 
have  seen  her  not  since  our  return,  but  have  blythe 
remembrance  of  her.  She  is  a  fair  and  beauteous 
maiden,"  she  added  with  a  quick  glance  at  him. 

Arthur  felt  himself  flush  with  pleasure.  "  Indeed," 
he  said  impulsively,  '*  I  found  her  so.  I  am  delighted 
to  meet  any  of  her  friends,  I  assure  you." 

The  lightest  shadow  of  a  scornful  smile,  quickly 
repressed  however,  curled  the  lips  of  the  girl.  And 
the  repast  being  finished,  Lady  Dacre  said :  — 

"  'T  would  be  but  poor  hospitality  to  keep  you 
longer  from  the  bed  which  a  man  in  your  plight 
needeth  sorely,  fair  sir.  But  pardon  my  forgetfulness ; 
how  are  you  recovered  from  the  hurt  received  at  the 
hunt?" 

Percy  looked  surprised  and  was  about  to  reply,  but 


THE  EAGLE'S  CRAG.  221 

Miss  Vivienne  said  laughingly:  "  Oh,  yes,  we  have 
heard  of  you  gallantly  saving  the  lovely  Kate's  life, 
with  ne'er  a  thought  for  your  own  !  I  doubt  not  you 
had  thought  it  a  cheap  price  to  pay  for  her  safety." 

"  Indeed,  I  should  count  it  an  honor  to  place  my 
life  at  the  disposal  of  Lady  Kate,  or  of  any  of  her 
dear  friends,"  replied  Percy,  in  his  courtly  way. 

"  Oh,  a  bird  hath  sung  to  me  that  your  words  were 
as  sweet  as  your  deeds  were  dauntless,  fair  sir  !  "  cried 
the  maiden,  with  another  queer  laugh. 

"  But,  Madam,  pardon  me,"  said  Percy  to  Lady 
Dacre  ;  "  I  did  not  reply  to  your  kind  inquiry.  I  find 
myself  much  recovered,  although  not  yet  entirely 
strong." 

Percy  was  very  glad  to  pledge  the  ladies  good-night 
in  a  loving-cup,  and  then  to  go  to  his  room,  which 
was  in  the  main  tower.  A  small  apartment  led  out 
of  it,  in  which  were  quartered  his  two  men. 

He  slept  the  sleep  of  the  very  weary,  and  dreamed  all 
night  of  Kate  Percy,  to  awaken  the  next  morning  with 
the  sun  shining  brightly  in  his  face.  Upon  descend- 
ing to  the  great  hall,  he  learned  from  a  servant  that 
the  morning  meal  would  be  served  in  half  an  hour, 
and  seeing  neither  of  the  ladies  about,  he  strolled  out 
into  the  courtyard,  and  thence  over  the  drawbridge, 
which  had  been  lowered,  to  the  cliff  in  front  of  the 
castle.  It  was  a  place  of  surpassing  wildness,  and  of 
almost  frightful  beauty.  The  cliff  had  a  sheer  descent 
of  certainly  three  hundred  feet,  and  the  precipice  was 
composed  of  fragments  of  rocks  broken  into  every 


222  CENTURIES  APART. 

possible  shape  by  the  erosive  agencies  of  past  and 
present  ages.  Here  and  there  on  the  brink,  or  part- 
way down,  a  cedar  clung  to  the  scant  soil  among  the 
rocks,  and  graceful  ferns  clothed  the  ragged  clefts 
with  green.  At  the  foot  of  the  crag  lay  a  sheet  of 
water,  from  two  to  three  miles  in  width  and  extend- 
ing so  far  in  both  directions  that  the  view  was  cut  off 
by  wooded  promontories.  Mountains  bounded  the 
horizon,  having  rugged  peaks  here  and  there  rising 
above  their  distant  and  faint  sky  lines.  Forest  covered 
the  rocky  eminences  about,  except  where  little  clear- 
ings appeared  with  huts  in  hamlets  or  villages. 

The  lake  was  placid  and  as  blue  as  sapphire,  and 
wooded  islets  lay  here  and  there  upon  its  surface  like 
emeralds. 

The  castle  itself  was  not  large,  nor  very  strongly 
built;  but  its  situation  was  in  a  position  of  great 
natural  strength,  being  surrounded  on  three  sides  by 
water,  and  the  only  way  leading  to  the  high  plateau 
on  which  it  stood  being  up  a  steep  and  narrow 
ravine. 

Percy  stood  leaning  against  a  tree,  silently  en- 
joying the  prospect,  and  wondering  if  Kate  were 
looking  out  upon  the  sea  this  morning,  as  he  was 
upon  the  lake.  A  light  step  did  not  rouse  him  from 
his  dreamy  musing,  and  he  started  when  a  musical 
laugh  close  by  his  side  rang  in  his  ear. 

"  What  spell  is  over  our  noble  guest  this  morning, 
that  he  gazeth  over  lake  and  mountain  without  seeing 
aught  of  them?  "  asked  a  slightly  mocking  voice. 


THE  EAGLE'S   CRAG.  223 

And  the  young  man  turned  to  greet  Miss  Ben- 
Ardlac,  who  looked  even  more  witchingly  beautiful 
in  the  morning  light  than  she  had  appeared  the 
preceding  night. 

"  Indeed,"  he  replied,  laughing,  "  I  have  drunk  in 
all  the  beauties  of  your  sublime  scenery,  and  was 
comparing  in  my  mind  this  view  of  lakes  and  moun- 
tains with  that  at  Ravensclyffe  of  ocean  crags;  but 
this  is  truly  magnificent.  I  have  never  seen  finer 
views  in  any  part  of  the  world." 

"Ah,  yes!"  replied  the  girl,  somewhat  sadly. 
"You  have  then  seen  all  parts  of  the  world.  To 
us  in  this  island  other  portions  of  the  earth  are  as  an 
ice-sealed  book.  All  in  South  England  hail  the 
coming  of  your  people,  hoping  that  you  may  be  the 
heralds  of  a  new  acquaintance  with  other  lands." 

"Indeed,  I  wish  that  it  may  prove  so,"  he  replied; 
"  but  you  know  that  our  being  here  is  due  to  a  mere 
chance.  We  are  at  war,  and  ours  is  a  warlike  expedi- 
tion, driven  thousands  of  miles  from  our  course  by  piti- 
less storms.  Yet,  indeed,  I  suspect  that  the  importance 
of  our  fortuitous  discovery  of  your  island  may  be  of 
greater  moment  to  the  world  and  yourselves,  in  its 
results,  than  the  successful  termination  of  our  original 
attempt  would  have  been." 

"  Oh,  ye  are  at  war?  Yes,  men  are  always  at  war. 
How  tiresome  it  all  is  !  Pray,  are  there  not  lands 
where  there  be  no  war?  " 

"  Not  yet,  my  Lady.  War  seems  even  now  the 
normal  condition,  with  happy   and  I  am  glad  to   say 


224  CENTURIES  APART. 

ever  increasing  interruptions,  of  a  large  part  of  the 
world.  Still,  we  have  very  few  great  wars.  For  all 
that,  when  we  fight,  we  fight  as  fiercely  as  any  people 
in  the  world  ;  for  we  fight  to  end  the  war  and  to 
conquer  a  peace." 

"  Ah,  then,  how  hateful  is  war !  It  taketh  my  dear 
brother  from  me  so  oft ;  and  he  is  all  I  have  in  the 
world  beside  my  mother.  And  we  two  women  watch 
and  wait  for  tidings  from  the  battle  till  hearts  wax 
sick  as  death.  Lady  Dacre  is  ever  at  mass  in  chapel 
now.  She  will  pray  for  hours.  So  come  you  in  and 
break  your  fast  with  me  alone.  I  cannot  feel  that 
telling  my  beads  will  save  my  brother's  life." 

"  It  seems  strange,"  said  he,  walking  along  by  her 
side,  "  that  you  have  no  tidings  from  your  army, 
either  here  or  at  Ravensclyffe.  I  should  have  sup- 
posed that  news  would  have  come  more  than  once." 

"  Oh,"  she  replied  carelessly,  "  we  hear  that 
since  our  array  moved  southward,  the  ways  and 
the  country  about  the  White  Forest  are  overrun  by 
the  robber  bands  of  the  Western  Lord  of  Pem- 
broke !  His  lightly  armed  horsemen  are  out  for  the 
King.  And  it  hath  even  been  said  that  they  may 
venture  into  Northumberland  and  the  Ben-Ardlac 
country." 

"And  what  is  there  to  oppose  them?"  asked 
Percy. 

"  Here,"  she  replied  indifferently,  "  we  have  a 
score  or  two  of  old  men  and  boys.  The  seneschal 
was  left  in  command  by  my  brother.     The  castle  is 


THE  EAGLE'S   CRAG.  225 

strongly  situated,  and  would  not  be  easily  taken  by  a 
band  of  marauders.  Concerning  Ravensclyffe,  you 
know  yourself  whether  't  is  defended  against  such 
scum  or  no.  But  I  doubt  they  dare  penetrate  as  far 
as  that." 

They  reached  the  hall  where  the  morning  meal 
was  in  readiness,  and  notwithstanding  what  Miss 
Vivienne  had  said,  Lady  Dacre  was  waiting  for  them 
at  the  board.  After  the  morning  greetings  and  in- 
quiries from  his  hostess  as  to  his  health,  he  sat  at  her 
right  hand,  her  daughter  being  opposite.  He  glanced 
down  the  table,  where,  "  below  the  salt,"  were  seated 
all  the  available  retainers  or  "  henchmen "  of  the 
garrison,  except  the  warders  actually  on  the  walls. 
They  were  some  forty  in  number  only,  and  were  old 
men  almost  past  bearing  arms,  or  boys  hardly  old 
enough  for  service.  Three  bright,  stout  fellows,  how- 
ever, caught  his  attention.  One  was  his  guide  of 
the  preceding  day,  one  the  seneschal,  and  the  third 
proved  to  be  the  steward.  After  the  meal,  the 
ladies  excused  themselves  for  a  while,  and  Percy 
entered  into  conversation  with  the  seneschal  regard- 
ing the  defences  and  strength  of  the  garrison. 

"  It  likes  me  not,  my  Lord,"  said  that  functionary 
(these  people  persisted  in  "my  Lording"  him,  al- 
though he  explained  to  them  his  rank  and  condition, 
which  they  evidently  could  not  comprehend),  "  that 
Pembroke  is  abroad  with  these  '  fen  riders,'  as  they 
are  yclept,  between  the  Duke's  array  and  the  North- 
ern holds.    They  be  numerous  and  daring,  and  every 

15 


226  CENTURIES  APART. 

man  that  could  be  spared  hath  been  sent  away 
under  his  lord's  pennon  from  all  the  Northern  shires ; 
and  the  mountain  chieftains  have  all  their  fighting 
clansmen  under  their  banners.  The  depths  of  our 
Ben-Ardlac  country  are  easily  defended  against  all 
South  England  by  a  handful  of  our  mountaineers ; 
but  this  castle  of  the  chief  lieth  near  to  the  borders, 
and  to  say  you  sooth,  sir,  I  wot  it  is  especially  the 
mark  of  yon  Lord  of  Pembroke,  who  beareth  special 
hatred  to  the  chief  and  his  mother,  but  more  to  the 
Lady  Vivienne  herself,  for  a  year  last  Michaelmas  he 
asked  her  hand  in  marriage  but  was  scornfully  denied. 
'Twas  not  alone  love  for  her,  but  he  is  seized  of 
a  part  of  the  ancient  barony  of  Dacre  lands,  and  he 
thought  to  secure  himself  in  certain  possession  of 
these  if  e'er  the  Lord  Dacre  (who  you  doubtless 
know  is  Ruval  Ben-Ardlac)  cometh  to  his  own  again. 
Pembroke  is  a  fierce  and  savage  baron,  and  hath 
vowed  vengeance  for  the  slight.  He  is  the  chief  of 
the  wild  and  lawless  shire  of  Pembroke,  which  hath 
been  for  years  the  refuge  of  outlaws  and  desperate 
villains  who  follow  his  standard  and  have  become 
his  faithful  retainers.  In  this  war  he  hath  declared 
for  the  King,  and  received  full  pardon  and  absolution 
for  his  past  crimes  and  treasons,  and  fair  promise  of 
reward  for  his  faithfulness  now." 

"  How  many  think  you  he  can  bring  against  any 
one  point?"  asked  Percy. 

"  I  can  but  guess,"  replied  the  seneschal,  "  but  his 
own  proper  vassals,  some  fifteen  hundred  strong,  are 


THE   EAGLE'S   CRAG.  227 

with  the  main  army  of  Sussex,  under  Pembroke's 
younger  brother,  Sir  William  de  Brassy,  a  better 
soldier  than  Pembroke  himself;  and  though  the 
Baron  hath  the  King's  pardon,  nathless,  methinks 
he  be  loath  to  trust  his  person  in  the  power  of  Henry 
or  of  any  of  his  great  barons  like  Sussex  (with  many 
of  whom  he  hath  been  on  foul  terms  enow),  until  he 
hath  earned  forgiveness  by  something  more  stable 
than  his  word,  which  counteth  not  with  man.  He 
hath  been  under  attainder  half  his  days.  But  could 
he  take  the  Eagle's  Crag  and  massacre  the  clan, 
he  were  doing  blythe  service  with  Henry,  who  hath 
sworn  to  root  us  and  all  mountain  clans  out  with 
fire  and  sword.  So  he  is  himself  marauding  with 
his  cut-throats.  I  hear  his  following  be  two  to 
three  hundred.  But  here  cometh  my  young  mis- 
tress.    Methinks  she  seeketh  thee,  my  Lord." 

In  this  the  worthy  seneschal  was  right,  for  the  fair 
Vivienne,  who  had  entered  the  hall,  walked  down  to 
where  Percy  was  standing. 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE  DELL  OF  THE  SWAN  MAIDEN. 

So  wondrous  wild,  the  whole  might  seem 
The  scenery  of  a  fairy  dream. 

The  Lady  of  the  Lake. 

THE  young  lady  stopped  for  a  moment  to  ask  a 
question  of  a  servant  in  a  tongue  entirely  strange  to 
Percy,  and  then  approaching  him,  said :  — - 

"  I  scarce  know  how  to  entertain  our  noble  guest. 
A  ride  to  yon  mountain  might  pleasure  a  well  and 
strong  man,  which  Captain  Percy  could  hardly  yet, 
methinks,  be  accounted;  but  'tis  a  perilously  tire- 
some way.  And  moreover,  we  hear  this  morn  that 
the  marauders  of  Pembroke  are  nearer  than  we 
thought,  and  hence  the  mountain  is  scarce  a  safe 
place  for  pleasuring.  In  fact,  sir,  while  my  mother 
and  I  would  be  greatly  honored  by  your  remaining 
our  guest  for  a  time  to  which  it  were  ungracious  to 
set  limit,  I  know  your  impatience  to  be  gone,  and 
were  the  ways  fairly  safe,  we  should  feel  it  as  unkind 
to  you  to  detain  you,  as  it  would  be  to  ourselves  to 
bid  you  farewell ;  but  as  things  are,  we  might  not 
dream  of  letting  you  depart,  for  the  roads  southward 
are  in  possession  of  the  fell  Pembroke's  villains,  and 
your  young  life  would  not  be  an  hour  older  should 


THE  DELL   OF  THE  SWAN  MAIDEN.       229 

you  fall  into  his  hands.  So  you  must  e'en  be  con- 
tent to  abide  at  our  poor  house  till  happier  days." 

"  Miss  Ben-Ardlac  must  not  speak  of  the  time  when 
I  may  leave  this  most  hospitable  castle  as  a  '  hap- 
pier day,'  "  said  Percy,  "  for  I  can  but  part  from  so 
kind  and  lovely  entertaining  with  sincere  regret;  but 
really,  if  there  be  the  slightest  chance  of  my  getting 
through  their  bands  and  pushing  for  the  camp,  I 
must  do  so,  for  my  duty  is  imperative." 

"  I  can  but  assure  you  again  that  it  is  utterly  im- 
possible," said  the  girl,  coldly.  "  And  as  you  must 
accept  the  unpleasant  truth,  would  it  not  be  as  well 
to  be  as  content  as  you  may  under  the  trial?  To  try 
to  make  the  period  of  your  imprisonment  here  to 
pass  the  less  heavily,  will  you  walk  with  me  to  the 
Dell  of  the  Swan  Maiden,  where  the  view  over  the 
lake  is  most  agreeable,  and  from  which  the  cloisters 
of  St.  Helen's  are  to  be  seen,  near  to  the  Caldon 
Hill?" 

Percy  was  most  happy  to  accompany  his  fair  guide, 
and  they  started  on  the  walk.  "  Lady  Kate  Percy," 
said  he,  "  has  told  me  of  the  romantic  legend  of  the 
Swan  Maiden's  Dell,  —  how  an  ancestor  of  yours 
wedded  a  fair  lady  who  proved  to  be  a  swan  maiden, 
and  so  one  night  when  walking  with  him  at  the  dell, 
where  she  had  been  singing  her  siren  songs,  and  had 
been  answered  by  her  companion  nymphs  from  the 
bosom  of  the  lake,  she  suddenly  became  invisible, 
and  disappeared  forever,  only  appearing  to  him 
afterward  in  dreams." 


230  CENTURIES  APART. 

"  Did  Kate  Percy  tell  thee  this  as  truth,  to  which 
she  verily  gave  credence? "  asked  the  maiden,  her 
lip  curling  in  pretty  scorn. 

"  Most  certainly  she  believed  what  she  said,"  re- 
plied Percy,  his  face  flushing  with  a  look  of  indig- 
nant protest.  The  girl  still  looked  at  him  with 
piercing  eyes,  the  scorn  deepening  on  her  thin  lips ; 
but  after  reading  his  expression,  —  and  him,  —  she 
dropped  her  gaze,  to  raise  again  the  eyes  in  humble 
and  beseeching  gentleness,  and  with  a  sad  smile. 

"  I  see,"  she  murmured  in  an  almost  inaudible 
voice ;  then  aloud :  "  Sweet  Kate  is  so  simple  and 
true,  and  hath  faith  in  all  that  is  told  her  by  old 
nurses,  —  ay,  and  by  young  men  too,  I  ween,"  she 
added,  again  almost  inaudibly. 

There  was  something  about  this  girl  from  which 
Percy  instinctively  shrank.  Yet  her  manner  had  in 
it  that  which  he  could  not  fathom,  of  such  inexpres- 
sible fascination  that  he  felt  himself  being  slowly 
drawn  under  the  spell.  From  this  moment  she  never 
again  showed  any  of  the  cold,  delicately  contemp- 
tuous reserve  which  had  impressed  him  since  he  first 
saw  her.  In  all  which  she  said  thereafter  of  Kate 
Percy,  there  was  an  apparently  warm  and  generous 
feeling  of  friendship  and  affection  which  completely 
disarmed  him  ;  and  she  exerted  herself  in  every  way 
to  interest  and  attract  him. 

They  walked  on  and  on  through  the  wood,  and 
when  they  were  near  a  mile  from  the  castle,  she  led 
the  way  off  to  the  left,  through  a  dark,  woody  ravine 


THE  DELL    OF  THE  SWAN  MAIDEN.      231 

which  all  at  once  widened  to  a  little  glade,  the  most 
lovely  that  Percy  had  ever  seen.  The  cliffs  broke 
away  here  for  a  few  rods,  and  the  land  sloped  down 
to  a  sandy  beach  bordered  on  each  side  by  an 
immensely  high  and  steep  ledge,  moss-grown  and 
covered  with  rich  green  hardy  ferns.  The  evergreens 
shut  in  this  lovely  spot  at  the  entrance  and  sides  as 
by  a  living  wall,  while  here  and  there  on  the  velvety 
greensward  were  noble  oaks.  Partially  concealed  on 
one  side  by  a  huge  mass  of  porphyritic  rock,  was  a 
little  half-ruined  shrine,  before  which  grew  several 
graceful  birches,  their  catkins  hanging  heavy  and 
tremulous  in  golden  yellow,  and  surrounded  by  a 
cloud  of  bees,  of  a  species  different  from  any  known 
to  our  entomology.  The  music  of  their  loud  hum 
was  plainly  in  different  keys,  and  more  oddly  har- 
monious than  anything  of  the  kind  which  Percy  had 
ever  heard. 

The  lake  stretched  away  in  front  in  a  deep,  trans- 
parent, unruffled  blue.  Rocky,  wooded  islets  lay  here 
and  there,  doubled  in  their  own  reflection  in  the 
pellucid  depths.  In  the  far  distance  were  dim,  purple 
mountains,  and  on  one  of  the  nearest  foot-hills  were 
visible,  as  if  seen  through  mist,  the  towers  and  spires 
of  a  monastic  pile.  A  darkly  wooded  hill  lay  just  to 
the  left  of  it. 

The  maiden  cast  a  look  of  exultant  pride  on  him 
as  he  drank  in  the  exquisite  beauties  of  the  spot. 

"  This  is  the  Swan  Maiden's  Dell,"  she  said,  "  and 
those  be  the  Islands  of  the  Three  Spirits.    Our  ances- 


232  CENTURIES  APART. 

tors  thought  them  haunted.  Our  tribesmen  of  to- 
day still  credit  the  legend.  They  ne'er  set  foot  on 
them  willingly.  I  have  wandered  o'er  all,  nathless, 
and  scatheless, —  perchance  because  I  am  of  the 
blood  of  the  Swan  Maiden,"  she  added  simply,  look- 
ing at  him  with  a  weird  expression,  which  in  spite  of 
himself  caused  a  cold  chill  to  creep  over  him. 

"  Yonder,"  she  continued,  "  be  the  cloisters  of  St. 
Helen's.  The  height  beyond  is  the  famed  Caldon 
Hill." 

"  I  have  heard  tales  about  that  hill,"  he  said.  "  It 
was  there,  I  believe,  that  one  who  had  betrayed  his 
king  and  native  land  began  his  penance  for  the  crime 
by  winning  a  lost  battle." 

"  Nay,"  she  replied,  "  that  is  scarcely  so.  The 
battle  was  on  Holy  Hill,  which  is  hard  by  St.  Helen's, 
on  the  far  side,  though  in  good  sooth  not  so  distant 
from  Caldon's  Edge.  But  a  battle  was  fought  on 
Caldon  two  hundred  years  agone,  which  the  min- 
strels have  sung  of  to  harp  and  lute.  Wouldst  like 
to  listen  to  a  ballad  concerning  it  ? " 

"  Oh,  so  very  much  !"  he  replied  earnestly.  "  I  shall 
be  more  than  delighted  to  hear  you  sing  it." 

"  'T  is  but  simple  and  rude,  and  very  old,"  she 
said.  "I  will  sing  it;  but  first  let  me  tell  thee 
the  true  tale  as  to  my  ancestress  called  the  Swan 
Maiden. 

"  My  great  grandsire,  the  fourth  Baron  Dacre  of 
Heronburn,  was  a  dark  and  gloomy  man,  no  longer 
young  at  the  period  of  which  I  discourse.     Tradition 


THE  DELL    OF   THE  SWAN  MAIDEN.      233 

saith  that  he  dabbled  in  the  Black  Art.  Be  that  as 
it  may,  he  late  wedded  a  lady  of  less  than  half  his 
years,  the  daughter  of  Sir  Garth  Halcro  of  Otter- 
bank,  with  whom  my  ancestor  had  been  for  years  at 
feud.  Howe'er,  he  had  encountered  this  girl  at  a 
friend's  castle,  and  soon  after  asked  her  in  marriage 
of  Sir  Garth.  This  seemed  like  a  reconciliation,  and 
Sir  Garth,  who  was  far  the  weaker  baron,  was  only 
too  glad  to  secure  lasting  peace  with  his  powerful 
enemy  by  consenting  to  his  wish.  The  lady,  too, 
was  nothing  loath,  Baron  Dacre  being  a  handsome 
and  courtly  man.  After  taking  his  bride  home,  how- 
ever, the  Baron  gave  out  that  he  wished  to  see  none 
of  her  kindred  at  his  castle ;  and  being  hereditary 
chieftain  of  the  Ben-Ardlac  mountain  tribe,  he  with- 
drew with  his  lady  to  this  tower,  where  he  still  pur- 
sued his  dealings  with  the  necromancer,  who  was 
a  magician  from  the  Eastern  barbarians'  country 
beyond  La  Nouvelle  France.  This  man  ever  dwelt 
in  yonder  turret  next  the  lake,  as  one  goeth  into 
the  castle,  called  to  this  day  the  Wizard's  Tower. 

"  His  bride  was  thus  kept  aloof  from  her  own 
family,  and  mourned  much  the  grief  of  separation 
from  her  twin  brother,  who  was  marvellous  well 
versed  in  minstrelsy,  and  whose  singing  was  like 
heavenly  music.  So  was  her  own  forsooth,  and 
much  they  had  enjoyed  most  blythely  together  which 
was  now  denied  them.  The  lady  bore  her  lord  two 
beautiful  children,  but  saw  less  and  yet  less  of  him, 
as  he  spent  the  most  of  his  life  in  dark  work  with  the 


234  CENTURIES  APART. 

magician.  But  the  lady  went  on  in  her  course,  like 
as  did  he  in  his  own,  and  one  day  it  was  whispered 
to  him  that  on  every  Friday,  early  in  the  day,  she 
went  from  the  castle,  and  returned  not  until  the 
gloaming.  Then  somewhat  more  heavy  reached  his 
ears,  that  so  weighed  down  his  soul  that  betimes  one 
Friday  morn  he  hied  him  soft  to  her  chamber  and 
concealed  himself  behind  the  arras  nigh  to  the  case- 
ment, which  was  so  high  in  the  wall  that  while  it  let 
in  light  enow,  she  might  not  peer  out.  But  a  large 
steel  mirror  hung  in  such  manner  nigh  this  casement, 
that  one  might  fairly  see  what  passed  without,  e'en 
upon  the  farther  side  o'  the  lake,  where  it  narroweth 
as  you  may  see  to  scarce  a  mile,  by  reason  of  the 
point  which  maketh  out  toward  us  here.  So  then 
the  lady  entering  from  her  bower  gazed  upon  the 
mirror,  and  likewise  from  behind  the  arras  opposite 
gazed  her  lord. 

"  Eftsoon  he  beheld  the  reflection  of  a  knight 
upon  yon  point,  who  rode  down  to  the  water  side, 
and  leaving  his  horse  in  the  wood,  embarked  himself 
in  a  skiff  which  two  stout  varlets  pulled  to  the  west 
side  of  the  islets  till  they  might  be  no  longer  seen  of 
those  in  the  castle.  And  so  Lord  Dacre  beheld  no 
more  of  them.  But  his  lady,  running,  did  array 
herself  all  in  white  samite,  and  her  robe  was  bedight 
with  swan's-down  about  the  neck,  and  up  and  down 
the  breast.  And  her  heavy  hair,  which  while  she 
gazed  in  the  mirror  had  shrouded  her  form,  hanging 
to  the  floor  (for  she  had  the  locks  of  dark,  massive, 


THE  DELL   OF   THE  SWAN  MAIDEN.       235 

long  tresses  which  yet  pertain  to  our  race),  she  deftly 
and  quickly  rolled  up  in  braids,  and  throwing  a 
mantle  over  all,  she  did  haste  out  of  the  postern  and 
into  this  wood.  Her  lord  followed  her  as  closely  as 
he  might  without  betraying  himself,  and  soon  she 
came  to  this  dell ;  and  behold  in  the  skiff,  coming  by 
that  time  to  land,  sat  the  knight,  a  young  man  of  near 
her  own  age,  with  a  lute  in  's  hand.  And  he  came 
on  shore,  the  rowers  pulling  off  again  to  the  nighest 
islet,  where  they  awaited  his  pleasure.  He  met  the 
Lady  Dacre  with  an  embrace  and  much  kissing,  and 
they  sat  them  down  and  did  sing  like  to  angels, 
to  the  lute,  all  the  day  until  nightfall,  when  with 
embrace  and  kiss  again  she  left  him,  to  steal  through 
the  forest  back  to  the  castle.  But  the  Lord  Dacre, 
who  had  been  raging  to  himself  all  the  day,  hidden 
mid  the  trees,  and  yet  despite  his  rage  charmed 
with  their  minstrelsy  as  the  bird  is  charmed  to  his  un- 
doing by  the  snake,  burst  from  his  hiding-place  when 
the  lady  was  gone,  and  bid  the  knight  draw  for  a 
false  villain.  And  the  knight  making  as  if  he  would 
have  spoken,  and  drawing  not,  the  Baron  laid  him  as 
he  thought  dead  with  a  blow  of  his  dagger,  and  left 
him  to  the  ravens,  striding  home  again  meditating 
that  he  might  do  to  the  false  wife. 

"  But  he  was  a  dark  and  cold  man,  and  seldom 
struck  in  hot  blood.  And  he  ne'er  spoke  word  to 
her,  but  planned  a  revenge  that  should  wear  her 
soul  to  madness  ere  he  had  her  further  punished; 
for  he  could  burn  her  by  the  law  of  the  realm.     She 


236  CENTURIES  APART. 

slept  that  night  in  peace  ;  but  next  morn  when  she 
awoke  she,  terrified,  saw  her  own  face  reflected  in  a 
great  steel  mirror  which  was  bound  to  the  foot  of  her 
couch  inside  the  curtains.  At  first  she  dreamed  not 
what  it  might  portend ;  but  rising,  she  saw  all  about 
the  room  mirrors,  wherein  her  face  looked  back  at  her 
from  every  side.  She  went  to  her  bower  and  'twas 
even  so  there.  With  leaden  heart  she  descended  to 
the  hall  to  break  her  fast;  and  making  her  respect- 
ful greeting  to  her  lord,  he  ne'er  replied  to  her,  nor 
ate  while  she  remained,  but  sat  with  cold  eyes  fixed 
upon  her  ever,  ne'er  looking  elsewhere  for  an  instant 
But  what  terrified  her  sore  was  a  large  steel  mirror 
fixed  at  the  board  so  as  to  give  back  her  own 
sweetly  haggard  face  whene'er  she  glanced  upward. 
Thus  eating  but  a  morsel,  she  fled  again  to  her 
bower,  and  called  to  her  maidens  to  bring  her  children 
to  her.  But  they  answered  her  not,  nor  brought  the 
babes,  trembling  when  she  adjured  them  to  speak ; 
but  no  word  spoke  they,  being  forbid  by  the  dark 
Baron.  Thus  stayed  she  all  the  long  day  in  her  own 
bower  alone;  and  when  the  night  came  once  more 
and  she  at  last  crept  into  her  wretched  couch,  the 
mirror  was  there,  and  two  servants  came  and  held 
torches  through  the  night,  flaring  into  the  mirror  and 
on  her,  so  that  she  might  not  open  her  eyes  with- 
out seeing  her  own  face  staring  at  her. 

"  'T  were  an  o'er  long  tale,  and  dolorous  in  the  tell- 
ing, to  give  you  the  tidings  of  all  that  week  of  woe ; 
but  each  day  was  like  the  last.    She  boded  heavily  on 


THE  DELL   OF   THE  SWAN  MAIDEN.      237 

what  it  all  betokened,  and  yet  when  the  Friday  came 
once  more,  she   looked    again  in  the  mirror  by  the 
casement,  and  again  arrayed  herself  in  white  samite 
and  again  stole  from  the  postern;   and  her  lord  again 
followed  unseen,  to  taste  of  the  cruel  joy  of  behold- 
ing   her  despair  when   she   found    her    lover's    dead 
corpse  there  in  the  dell.     But  Lord  Dacre  was  con- 
founded,  for  no  corpse  was  there;  and  he  wist  not 
that    he  had   not  slain   but    only   sore  wounded   the 
knight,  whose  servants  came  with  the  boat  and  bore 
him    across  to   St.  Helen's,    where   he  was    tenderly 
nursed. 

"  But  the  lady  waited  in  despair  indeed  until  near 
nightfall.     Then  she  sat  her  down  by  the  lake  shore 
and  sang  the  death-song  of  the  swan.     And  behold 
when  she  came  to  the  last  verse,  a  swan,  floating  on 
the  bosom  of  the  lake    in  the  latest  ray  of  sunset 
seemed  to  the  Lord  Dacre  to  take  up  the  strain  and 
finish  the  lay.     Sorely  wondering  and  ill  at  ease,  he 
followed  the  lady  as  she,  spent  with  fasting  and  the 
m.sery  of  the  days  gone  by,  crept  slowly  up  the  dell 
and  into    the  shadows  of  the  gloaming,  which  was 
fast  falling  upon    the    world.     He    o'ertook    her   as 
she  reached  the  high  land  mid  the  oaks.     She  gave 
a  low  shriek  as  he  confronted  her  like  a  dark  spirit 
He  seized   her  arm  fiercely  and   hissed  betwixt   his 
teeth,  'Who  was  thy  lover?' 

'"What  meanest  thou? 'she  said  faintly;  and  then, 
rising  to  her  height  as  she  drank  in  his  intent,  said 
haughtily,  «  How  darcst  thou  so  shamefully  wrong 
me,  my  Lord  ? ' 


238  CENTURIES  APART. 

"  '  Who,  then,'  he  screamed,  '  is  the  knight  who 
met  thee  in  the  dell  a  sennight  agone?' 

"  ■  My  brother,  Lord  Dacre,'  she  cried  loudly,  and 
he  fancied  her  voice  to  sound  like  the  swan's  death- 
song  as  she  stood  there,  her  robe  of  white  samite 
gleaming  in  the  dim  light.  He  unhanded  her  and 
staggered  back  against  a  tree,  catching  his  breath  as 
if  strangling,  and  beating  his  breast.  As  he  gazed  in 
awful  remorse  at  the  misty  white  form,  it  suddenly 
faded  away;  for  she  had  loosed  the  braids  of  her 
dark  hair,  and  it  had  fallen  over  her  white  robe  like 
a  pall.  He  started  forward  and  snatched  at  thin 
air.  She  was  gone  !  He  dashed  down  the  path  to 
the  dell.  She  was  not  there.  He  flew  to  the  castle. 
She  had  not  been  there.  He  ordered  out  every 
retainer  with  torches,  and  scoured  the  forest  till 
dawn.  But  no  trace  of  her  found  they.  And  the 
Baron  went  half  mad.  The  memories  o'erwhelmed 
his  mind  of  his  neglect  of  her,  his  cold  absence  with 
his  Black  Art;  of  his  cruel  behest  that  she  should 
see  none  of  her  kindred  (yet  he  had  done  naught 
to  take  the  place  of  her  kindred  in  her  heart)  ;  of  his 
almost  forgetfulness  of  the  being  of  his  children.  He 
sent  for  these  infants  again,  —  for  he  had  despatched 
them  away  when  he  thought  her  unfaithful.  But  he 
could  endure  not  to  see  the  little  things;  they  re- 
minded him,  to  his  heart's  death,  of  her.  He  offered 
great  reward  to  whosoever  might  find  and  bring  her 
back, — sending,  moreover,  to  her  father's  castle  his 
tidings   of  her  flight,   and  of  his    own  remorse  and 


THE  DELL    OF   THE   SWAN  MAIDEN.      239 

misery,    and  urging  that  her  babes  mourned  for  her 
at  the  Eagle's  Crag. 

"  But  he  ne'er  slept  all  the  days  and  nights,  and 
grew  more  and  more  wild.  At  last  one  of  his  mes- 
sengers craved  lodging  for  the  night  at  St.  Helen's 
Cloisters ;  and  here  was  the  lady,  who  had  found 
her  brother  there,  sore  wounded  but  mending. 

"  Then  she  and  he  learned  the  unhappy  chance 
which  had  caused  the  misery,  and  that  the  Lord  Dacre 
was  not  altogether  to  be  condemned  for  the  mistake 
which  had  led  to  his  violence.  And  she  hastened 
back  to  the  Eagle's  Crag,  to  clasp  her  children  to 
her  heart,  and  to  forgive  her  husband  and  try  to 
lighten  his  remorse.  But  for  this  last  't  was  too  late. 
The  Lord  Dacre  was  crazed.  He  was  all  tenderness 
to  his  babes,  whom  he  ne'er  could  bear  out  of  his 
sight,  but  he  ne'er  seemed  to  see  her.  His  eyes 
rested  upon  her  as  if  blind;  or  if  perchance  he  some- 
time saw  her,  he  deemed  her  a  spirit,  believing  her 
dead ;  and  then  he  ever  fell  on  his  knees  in  worship 
of  the  soul  of  his  Swan  Maiden  as  he  called  her,  — 
harmlessly  raving.  Her  caresses,  her  loving  care, 
either  seemed  to  him  as  the  kisses  of  the  summer 
wind,  or  the  airy  tenderness  of  a  loving  ghost.  And 
thus  fared  matters  for  a  year  and  a  sennight,  the 
Baron  ne'er  being  well  enow  in  's  mind  to  be  made 
to  believe  that  the  Lady  Ida,  or  her  brother  whom 
he  had  struck  down,  still  lived.  Though  the  brother 
had  come  to  Eagle's  Crag,  and  was  reconciled  in  his 
heart  to  Lord  Dacre,  yet  my  ancestor  ne'er  knew  him 
for  one  whom  he  had  e'er  seen. 


240  CENTURIES  APART. 

"  The  Baron,  thuswhile,  had  been  unable  to  take 
part  in  the  war  which  the  good  King  Geoffrey  was 
waging  against  the  French,  and  erst  the  barbarians, 
for  his  life  and  throne  and  the  freedom  of  South 
England  ;  and  at  this  hour  the  King  was  wandering  in 
the  forests  of  the  North  with  few  friends,  —  his  barons 
mostly  dead,  his  armies  destroyed,  and  'twas  finally 
at  the  Eagle's  Crag  that  he  sought  refuge.  The 
instant  that  my  ancestor  beheld  him  a  shock  seemed 
to  arouse  his  brain,  and  he  knew  the  King ;  and  right 
joyous  welcome  gave  he  him  and  his  poor  array. 
And  'twas  here  that  the  Northern  barons  rallied  their 
strength  again  ;  and  Lord  Dacre  called  out  his  vassals, 
and  the  Clan  Ben-Ardlac  and  the  Earl  of  Northum- 
berland with  the  Scottish  lords  coming  with  their 
array,  the  King  marched  to  Holy  Hill  where  he 
gave  battle  to  the  invader,  and  't  was  there,  as  thou 
knowest,  that  the  aforetime  traitor  Fitz-Duncan  saved 
the  lost  battle  by  his  desperate  bravery  and  skill.  But 
my  great-grandsire,  who  fought  valiantly  and  like  his 
old  self  in  the  fray,  was  mortally  wounded  late  in 
the  day,  and  was  borne  to  the  cloisters  of  St.  Helen's, 
where  he  had  sent  for  asylum,  in  case  the  day  went 
against  the  South  English,  the  Lady  Ida  and  his 
children;  for  he  had  begun,  as  a  man  coming  out  of 
a  dream,  to  realize,  before  he  marched  away  from 
Eagle's  Crag,  that  his  wife  was  still  alive  and  with 
him. 

"  Albeit,  as   he  lay  dying  at  St.  Helen's,  his  mind 
cleared,  and   he   knew  her  again ;    and  for  the  forty 


THE  DELL   OF   THE   SWAN  MAIDEN.      241 

days  that  life  stayed  in  his  body,  although  he  suffered 
sore  pain,  yet  he  and  the  Lady  Ida  were  happier  than 
e'er  before  in  the  days  gone  by;  and  her  heart  broke 
when  he  died,  so  that  the  Swan  Maiden  ne'er  smiled 
more. 

"  And  this  is  the  true  tale,  which  hath  been  so 
mistold  that  distempered  minds  have  made  mystery 
and  magic  out  of  simple  truth." 

Percy  had  listened  intently  to  this  story,  which  was 
very  simply  told,  but  in  a  style  partaking  singularly 
of,  and  corresponding  with,  the  strange  and  inexpli- 
cable fascination  which  seemed  a  component  part  of 
this  girl,  surrounding  her  as  with  an  atmospheric  mist 
of  subtle  psychical  aroma,  which  reminded  her  com- 
panion of  certain  exquisitely  delicate  East  Indian 
perfumes  which  one  feels  instinctively  that  it  would 
be  safe  not  to  inhale.  He  was  perfectly  well  aware 
of  the  influence  which  this  fascination  was  gaining 
over  him.  He  studied  it  coldly  and  curiously,  but 
yielded  to  it  nevertheless ;  and  she  doubtless  knew 
this.  He  had  kept  his  eyes  on  her  countenance  all 
through  the  recital,  watching  its  changes  of  expres- 
sion and  the  art  of  her  graceful  mobility  of  feature. 
She  had  never  once  taken  her  gaze  from  his  face; 
and  now,  leaning  forward  with  a  weird  smile,  while 
the  fiery  brown  tourmaline  color  kindled  in  her 
hitherto  deeply  black  eyes,  she  said  in  low  tones, 
which  seemed  to  him  like  a  prelude  played  pianissimo 
upon  harpstrings:  — 

"Would    it   now  pleasure  you  to   hear  the   ballad 
16 


242  CENTURIES  APART. 

of  Caldon  Hill?  It  giveth  the  manner  of  our  moun- 
tain minstrelsy,  e'en  though  it  may  seem  wild  and 
rude  to  thy  gently  trained  apprehension." 

"  Yes,"  he  replied  simply  and  dreamily,  looking  at 
her  with  half-closed  eyes,  but  with  an  earnestness  in 
the  half-audible  reply  that  made  the  lady's  lip  to  curl 
with  a  faint  smile  of  consciousness  of  the  swiftly 
increasing  power  of  her  spell.  Percy  perfectly  well 
comprehended  all  this  too,  and  still  let  himself 
float  on. 

She  rose  apparently  without  effort,  and  stood  half 
facing  the  lake.  Her  left  arm  nearest  him  was  laid 
with  careless  grace  upon  the  bole  of  a  birch,  of  which 
the  dead  white  bark  formed  a  foil  for  the  dazzling 
white  of  the  half-bare  arm,  upon  which  was  wound 
from  wrist  to  elbow  a  bracelet  of  ruddy  gold  in  the 
shape  of  a  swan's  neck  and  head,  with  ruby  eyes. 
Strange  to  say,  Percy  had  not  before  noticed  her 
dress,  and  could  not  for  his  life  have  described  it 
until  now,  when  it  all  at  once  came  to  him  that  it  was 
of  an  airy  appearing  white  material,  trimmed  exclu- 
sively with  swan's-down. 

Of  this  elegant  substance  was  also  the  mantle 
thrown  about  her  neck  and  shoulders,  —  for  the  air 
was  none  too  warm.  She  wore  upon  her  head  a  sort 
of  hat  with  much  swan's-down  on  it,  and  a  bunch  of 
long,  pure  white  feathers  on  one  side. 

"  Surely,"  thought  the  young  man  to  himself,  "  if 
the  girl  has  followed  her  natural  instinct  in  arraying 
herself,  she  must  be  a  swan  maiden  indeed." 


THE  DELL   OF   THE  SWAN  MAIDEN.     243 

She  began  to  sing  in  a  rich,  penetrating  soprano, 
throwing  her  voice  out  upon  the  lake,  so  that  Percy 
could  not  free  himself  from  the  impression  that  the 
notes  floated  away  over  the  water  toward  a  group  of 
wild  swans,  which  soon  began  to  bend  their  graceful 
necks  in  the  direction  of  the  singer.  Finally  they 
turned  and  slowly  drew  near.  The  singing  was  in  a 
minor  key,  but  the  music  changed  with  every  few 
verses,  giving  thus  a  pleasing  variety.  She  sang  with 
exquisite  expression,  but  with  a  weird,  uncanny  air, 
which,  beautiful  as  it  was,  affected  the  hearer  with  a 
singular  sense  of  mingled  attraction  and  repulsion,  at 
length  merging  into  such  an  irresistible  fascination 
that  the  man  rose  from  his  seat  on  the  rocks  and 
drew  slowly  and  noiselessly  near  her.  At  last  he 
paused  with  his  face  so  close  to  her  cheek,  as  he 
looked  with  half  averted  gaze  at  her  eyes,  that 
he  fancied  dreamily  that  he  could  hear  the  beating  of 
her  heart.  She  was  silent  for  an  instant,  and  slowly 
turned  her  head  full  upon  him,  betraying  a  grace  and 
wonderful  flexibility  of  movement  which  made  him 
think  with  an  electric  thrill  of  a  swan.  Her  eyes 
seemed  to  burn  his  cheeks,  so  hotly  did  they  flush  at 
her  look.  Then,  turning  away  again,  she  extended 
her  left  hand  slowly  until  it  touched  and  lightly 
clasped  his  own. 

At  the  same  time  she  took  two  steps  forward  and 
bent  over  the  water,  the  white  reflection  of  her  undu- 
latingly  graceful  form  coming  up  from  the  depths  to 
meet  her. 


244  CENTURIES  APART. 


And  this  was  the  song  as  she  sang  it 


CALDON    HILL. 

King  Henry  glanced  along  his  host, 
From  Dead  Man's  Fens  to  Greyfriar's  Mill. 
"  Now  surely  shall  he  win  this  day, 
Who  holds  yon  crest  of  Caldon  Hill. 

"  The  Foeman's  van  hath  forced  its  march, 
And  ye  may  see  them  pressing  still 
For  Caldon's  Edge.     What  knight  of  mine 
Will  drive  them  back  from  Caldon  Hill  ?  " 

His  gallant  knights'  swart  cheeks  grew  pale 
As  moodily  they  gazed  around  :  — 
"  Our  swords  are  thine.    Our  souls  are  lost 
If  tread  we  Caldon's  thrice-banned  ground." 

Thus  coldly  spake  the  barons  ;  then 

An  icy  boding  silence  fell. 

The  monarch  frowned  and  sighed  ;  he  knew 

The  portent  of  their  words  full  well. 

A  heathen  king,  in  ancient  days, 
On  Caldon  burned  his  Christian  bride  ; 
And  men  fell  'neath  the  Church's  curse 
Who,  since,  set  foot  on  Caldon's  side. 

Young  Roland  Gordon  bowed  him  low  : 
"  And  should  it  be  my  Liege's  will, 
It  were  my  joy  to  seize  and  hold 
For  victory  dread  Caldon  Hill." 

"  Now  God  go  with  thee,  dauntless  youth  j 
And  if  thou  com'st  as  victor  back, 
I  pledge  thee  here  my  royal  word 
An  earldom  fair  thou  shalt  not  lack." 

Then  Roland  galloped  sore.     Behind 
Close  pressed  his  lances'  thick  array. 
But  sad  he  cried,  "  Mine  Alice  dear, 
This  morn  had  been  our  bridal  day." 


THE  DELL   OF  THE  SWAN  MAIDEN,      245 

"  And  now  methinks  my  bridal  bed 
Shall  be  where  slaughtered  corpses  lie, — 
I  scorn  the  curse  ;  scatheless  be  they 
Who  for  their  King  and  honor  die." 

Then  led  he  on  his  vassals  true ; 

Their  thirsting  swords  deep  drank  their  fill ; 

The  vultures  battened  many  a  day 

On  friend  and  foe  at  Caldon  Hill. 

Till  night  the  battle  fiercely  raged 
Along  King  Henry's  line  ;  and  still 
He  heard  Lord  Gordon's  bugle  blast 
Amid  the  strife  on  Caldon  Hill. 

And  when  at  last  the  gory  field 
Was  won,  and  gloaming's  vapors  chill 
Sank  low,  the  "  Choosers  of  the  Slain  " 
Wild  revel  held  on  Caldon  Hill. 

The  remnant  of  the  foe  fled  wide ; 
They  left  the  victors  cold  and  still ; 
For  only  dead  and  dying  men 
Besprent  the  crest  of  Caldon  Hill. 

Lord  Roland  Gordon  stricken  lay 
Beneath  an  oak  ;  a  gushing  rill 
Of  scarlet  life-blood  from  his  breast 
Deep  dyed  the  heath  on  Caldon  Hill. 

A  courser  darted  up  the  slope, 
A  maiden  sprang  from  off  the  selle, 
Her  lissome  foot,  so  light,  scarce  pressed 
The  purple  bloom  of  heather-bell. 

She  threw  her  on  his  form.     She  felt 
His  heart.     Alack,  't  was  beating  still ! 
She  faintly  moaned,  "  O  love,  is  this 
Our  bridal  bed  on  Caldon  Hill  ? 

"  My  Roland  !  raise  thine  eyes,  and  see, 
It  is  thine  Alice!     Love  !   I  thrill 
Thy  soul  with  kisses  !     Canst  not  speak  ?  "  — 
He  smiled  farewell  on  Caldon  Hill. 


246  CENTURIES  APART. 

She  sank  upon  his  heart ;  the  saints 
Her  spirit  snatched  from  grief  and  ill ; 
For  Death  had  spread  their  bridal  bed 
Upon  the  crest  of  Caldon  Hill. 

The  swans  had  stopped  in  their  course,  but  the 
most  beautiful  among  them  still  continued  on,  until 
it  sat  poised  upon  the  water  (so  clear  that  the  bird 
and  its  reflection  seemed  but  one  body)  within  a  few 
rods  of  the  maiden,  just  as  the  last  verse  of  the  song 
was  to  be  sung.  As  Percy  gazed  intently  upon  the 
girl  and  the  swan,  the  music  stole  forth  again  in  its 
delicate  minor,  as  soft  as  the  south  wind ;  but  to  his 
amazement  the  singing  was  by  the  swan  ! 

He  was  standing  partly  behind  the  maiden,  who 
had  dropped  his  hand  and  extended  her  own  toward 
the  bird.  For  a  moment  the  young  man  doubted 
his  own  presence,  and  actually  drew  his  hand  over 
his  eyes  to  see  if  he  were  dreaming.  But  as  the  song 
softly  proceeded,  and  he  assured  himself  that  he  was 
awake  and  in  possession  of  his  faculties,  for  the  first 
time  in  his  life  a  thrill  of  superstitious  terror  swept 
over  him  and  seemed  to  freeze  his  heart.  It  was 
only,  however,  for  a  few  seconds  that  this  continued. 
The  inevitable  revulsion  of  feeling  came,  and  with  a 
long  breath  of  relief  he  muttered  to  himself, — 

"  The  girl  is  a  ventriloquist,  to  be  sure ;  and  now 
I  am  sane  enough  to  realize  that  she  is  incomparably 
the  best  one  whom  I  have  ever  seen." 

The  last  notes  had  died  away,  and  the  lady  turned 
slowly  to    him    again  with  a  smile,  under    cover   of 


l HB     DELL    OF    THE    -v.  \\     MAID]  N        Pai 


THE  DELL   OF  THE  SWAN  MAIDEN.     247 

which  he  could  see  that  she  was  closely  observing 
him.  He  had  completely  recovered,  not  only  from 
the  momentary  dread,  but  from  the  spell  which  she 
had  thrown  over  him.  He  was  fully  himself  again  as 
he  stepped  forward  and  took  her  hand,  saying,  with 
kind  and  grateful  emphasis,  "  You  have  given  me  a 
most  exquisite  musical  pleasure.  The  singularity  of 
your  art  is  as  delightful  as  your  voice  is  beautiful.  I 
thank  you  from  my  soul." 

The  maiden  looked  at  him,  puzzled,  and  seemed 
the  least  disconcerted.  Perhaps  she  did  not  perfectly 
understand  his  language.  Perhaps  she  thought  that 
the  uncommon  power  which  she  possessed  as  a  ven- 
triloquist, which  she  had  used  often  with  great  amuse- 
ment to  herself  and  greater  wonderment  and  terror 
to  other  people,  was  but  a  commonplace  accomplish- 
ment in  America. 

His  quiet  self-possession  showed  that,  for  the  time 
at  least,  the  witching  influence  under  which  he  had 
allowed  himself  to  fall,  had  waned  ;  and  the  pique 
and  disappointment  which  this  caused  the  beautiful 
and  elfish  creature  were  infinitely  greater  than  Percy 
thought.  He  had  followed  the  current  of  her  senti- 
ment to  a  certain  extent;  for  the  fair  Vivien  ne  was  far 
more  transparent  than  she  would  have  deemed  pos- 
sible, being,  with  all  her  arts  and  really  perilous  fas- 
cinations, as  Arthur  Percy  sagely  remarked  to  himself, 
but  a  little  country  girl.  Her  puzzled  expression 
gave  way  to  a  shadow  of  sadness ;  and  as  she  at 
last   turned  from  him,   and   taking  a   few   steps   for- 


248  CENTURIES  APART. 

ward  gazed  over  the  lake,  there  were  hot  tears  in 
her  eyes. 

Percy  had  fallen  into  his  frequently  recurring 
dreamy  condition  of  mind,  and  was  looking  out  upon 
the  lake  without  seeing  anything  in  particular,  when 
a  movement  among  the  group  of  swans  aroused  him. 
The  birds  suddenly  and  without  warning  rose  in  a 
tumultuous,  terrified  way  from  the  water,  and  flew 
swiftly,  but  close  to  its  surface,  toward  the  nearest 
island,  —  reaching  which,  they  disappeared  precipi- 
tately in  the  underbrush. 

"  'T  is  a  strange  act;  and  wherefore?  "  queried  the 
damsel. 


CHAPTER   XI. 

THE   BLACK  TEMPEST. 

Blow,  winds,  and  crack  your  cheeks  ! 

King  Lear. 

HER  answer  came  in  a  low,  moaning  noise,  quickly 
increasing  to  an  angry  roar,  and  from  that  to  a  fright- 
ful screaming,  shrieking,  bellowing  rush  of  sound.  A 
shadowy  mist  ingulfed  the  summit  of  the  nearest 
mountain  across  the  lake,  and  then  a  deep  black 
mass  of  surging,  billowy  cloud  rolled  over  its  crest 
and  swept  down  the  side  to  the  lake,  advancing  with 
the  speed  of  the  tornado.  The  air  was  deathly  still 
where  they  stood,  and  the  sunshine  rested  upon  them 
as  in  calm  mockery.  Percy  actually,  for  a  second, 
wondered  if  he  were  dreaming  in  a  horrible  night- 
mare ;  but  the  girl  turned  to  him  with  pale  lips,  yet 
with  cold  calmness,  and  grasping  his  wrist  with  icy 
fingers,  murmured,  "  Come  !  't  is  the  Black  Tempest. 
It  spareth  none." 

Hastily  glancing  about,  she  drew  him  to  the  shrine. 
It  was  none  too  soon.  The  sombre  shadow  of  the 
tornado  encompassed  them  and  the  full  force  struck 
with  a  crashing  roar  as  they  threw  themselves  into 
the  low  doorway.  The  maiden  instantly  knelt  before 
the  image  of  the  saint  on  the  wall ;   but  a  gust  seized 


250  CENTURIES  APART. 

and  whirled  her  around  and  half  out  at  the  doorway 
again.  Percy  caught  her  about  the  waist,  and  with 
main  strength  dragged  her  from  the  jaws  of  the 
storm.  Then  looking  about  he  saw  a  second  door- 
way which  led  into  an  inner  cell  a  few  feet  square, 
cut  into  the  solid  rock.  Rushing  in  with  the  maiden, 
he  startled  a  huge  owl  which  had  taken  shelter  there. 
Its  wings  brushed  their  heads  as  it  swooped  out,  and 
Percy  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  bird,  seized  by  the 
tempest  and  dashed  pitilessly  against  a  tree  trunk, 
from  which  it  dropped  dead  into  the  swirl  of  driving 
snow,  that  now  absolutely  filled  the  air,  sweeping 
into  their  little  refuge  in  sheets  of  dry,  cutting,  suffo- 
cating, powdered  ice. 

The  girl  shuddered,  and  Percy  realized  that  she 
was  clad  but  for  a  quiet  day  and  by  no  means  pre- 
pared to  encounter  such  a  frightful  storm.  He  had 
worn  his  military  greatcoat,  which  was  loose,  reached 
to  his  spurs,  and  had  a  cape  half  as  long.  It  was  no 
time  for  ceremony,  and  drawing  the  maiden  near,  he 
wrapped  the  coat  and  cape  around  her.  It  was  large 
enough  to  protect  both  as  he  held  her  closely  into 
a  corner,  steadying  himself  against  a  side  wall,  and 
sheltering  her  from  the  screaming  wind,  which  drove 
the  snow  in  wildly  flying  eddies  round  the  little  cell. 
Her  head  was  covered  by  the  cape,  but  she  made  a 
little  movement,  and  glancing  down,  he  saw  the  white 
face  upturned,  the  brown  tourmaline  eyes,  shining  in 
the  dusk  like  firelight,  fixed  wistfully  upon  his  own. 
So  they  stood  long,  taking  no  note  of  time. 


THE  BLACK   TEMPEST.  251 

At  last  she  said,  "  Thou  hast  twice  to-day  saved 
my  life,"  in  penetrating  tones  that  sounded  clear  and 
sweet  above  the  roar  of  the  wind  and  the  crashing 
of  boughs  outside  in  the  forest.  "  Nay,  then,  't  is 
sooth,"  she  continued,  in  answer  to  his  questioning 
look,  "  I  had  been  dashed  against  a  tree  like  the  poor 
bird  which  we  affrighted  from  its  refuge,  but  for  thy 
strong  arm ;  and  I  had  died  since,  from  the  cold  and 
fury  of.  this  tempest,  but  for  thy  gentle  care.  There 
be  two  who  love  me,  will  thank  thee  with  full  hearts 
for  this." 

"  And  who  are  they?  "  he  asked. 
"  My  mother  and  my  brother,"  she  said. 
"  Poor  child,"  he  said  ruefully,  "  little  have  I  done 
thus  far  for  you  in  comparison  with  what  remains  to 
do.  For  if  this  storm  holds  for  the  day  and  night,  I 
scarce  know  how  to  keep  you  fairly  protected  from 
it,  and  warm  enough  ;  although  the  snow  will,  at  this 
rate,  before  many  hours,  bury  us  in  drifts  that  will 
be  shelter  from  this  fierce  gale  which  searches  our 
refuge  so  cruelly.     Are  you  yet  warm?  " 

"  By  my  life,  I  should  believe  myself  in  my  own 
bower !  "  she  replied  gleefully.  "  Nor  am  I  cold  nor 
distressed  in  whatever  manner.  But  this  tempest 
will  die  away  eftsoon.  'T  is  the  first  that  I  have 
seen  these  two  years  last  Yuletide.  They  come  not 
at  any  time  of  year  but  at  this  season,  and  rarely 
enow  then.  'T  is  a  bitter  one  this,  though.  But  vex 
not  thy  heart  concerning  me.  Thou  art  more  to  be 
feared  for  by  me,  for  thou  'rt  but  wounded  man,  and 
unused  to  our  storms." 


252  CENTURIES  APART. 

Even  as  she  spoke  the  wind  diminished,  and  to 
the  young  man's  surprise  soon  ceased  altogether. 
In  a  short  time  it  grew  lighter,  and  the  snow  no 
longer  fell.  He  turned  about  as  well  as  he  could, 
without  disturbing  the  protected  position  of  Vivienne, 
and  perceived  that  the  clouds  were  breaking  away. 
Indeed,  within  ten  minutes  after  this,  the  sun  was 
shining  brightly,  and  with  greater  warmth  than  in 
the  morning  before  the  tornado.  This  singular 
storm  had  lasted  but  for  a  little  more  than  an  hour, 
yet  the  snowfall  had  been  so  great  that  it  lay  at  least 
a  foot  in  depth  on  a  level,  with  huge  drifts  here  and 
there.  Percy  now  looked  out  into  the  forest,  and  it 
was  pitiful  to  see  the  destruction  among  the  noble 
trees.  Some,  here  and  there,  were  overthrown 
bodily,  but  great  limbs  strewed  the  ground  in  all 
directions,  and  the  evergreens  were  torn  to  pieces. 
He  began  now  to  consider  how  he  might  be  able  to 
bring  his  companion  to  the  castle  without  her  being 
exhausted  or  drenched  from  the  wet  snow,  which  was 
already  beginning  to  melt  fast  under  the  rays  of  the 
sun.  He  took  a  flat  stone  which  had  served  for  a 
shelf  in  the  shrine,  and  began  to  clear  the  snow  from 
the  inner  cell. 

"  What  thinkest  thou  to  do?"  asked  the  girl,  look- 
ing wonderingly  on. 

"  To  make  it  dry  and  comfortable  for  you  while  I 
go  to  the  castle  for  horses  and  help  to  bring  you 
home  through  these  snow-banks,"  he  replied. 

"  Nay,  then,  thou  goest  ne'er  a  step,"  she  replied, 


THE  BLACK   TEMPEST.  253 

"  or  I  go  with  thee.  My  mother  will  already  have 
ordered  the  henchmen  to  come  hither  to  our  rescue. 
'T  is  but  a  short  mile." 

Percy  could  but  recognize  the  reasonableness  of 
her  argument,  especially  as  the  hot  sun  was  melting 
the  damp  soft  snow  so  rapidly  that  streams  of  water 
were  beginning  to  pour  over  the  face  of  the  cliff 
against  which  the  little  shrine  was  built.  In  fact, 
very  soon,  to  their  dismay,  these  streams  increased 
to  small  torrents,  and  poured  not  only  over  the 
ruined  roof  of  the  shrine,  but  into  it  in  all  directions, 
and  bid  fair  soon  to  wet  them  through. 

"  Now,  my  Lady,"  said  Percy,  "  there  seems  but 
one  course  to  take,  and  there  's  no  time  for  debate 
concerning  it.  My  riding-boots  are  water  proof; 
and  I  will  carry  you  up  to  that  hill,  resting  you  from 
time  to  time  on  rocks  or  limbs.  From  there  we  can 
take  the  road  to  the  castle.  Doubtless  we  shall  meet 
your  people  before  long  with  horses." 

"  'T  were  better  I  walked,  for  I  care  not  for  a  wet- 
ting," she  said  doubtfully. 

"  Not  so,"  he  replied  quietly.  "  It  is  not  a  mere 
wetting  for  you.  It  will  be  a  drenching,  and  you 
can  hardly  walk  through  this  heavy  snow.  You 
must  do  as  I  say,  and  quickly."  She  seemed 
pleased  at  his  autocratic  manner,  and  said  softly, 
"  Well,  an  you  will." 

He  took  her  carefully  up  (she  was  as  light  as  a 
bird),  and  it  was  fully  time,  for  the  water  began  a 
moment  after  to  pour  into  the  shrine  in  sheets. 


254  CENTURIES  APART. 

"  Now,  Miss  Vivienne,"  he  said,  "  I  propose  to  take 
you  to  that  rock  beyond  the  broken  pine.  The  snow 
has  been  blown  off  its  top,  and  it  will  be  a  dry  place 
to  leave  you  while  I  go  to  see  if  the  road  is  passable. 
Meanwhile,  please  hold  tightly  to  me,  for  the  footing 
is  none  too  good." 

After  a  few  minutes'  wading,  avoiding  drifts  as  well 
as  he  could,  the  rock  was  reached,  and  placing  the 
girl  upon  it,  first  spreading  his  cape  for  her  protec- 
tion from  dampness,  he  left  her,  in  order  to  find  the 
road  at  the  top  of  the  cliff  and  see  if  there  were  signs 
of  rescuers  coming  from  the  direction  of  the  castle. 
He  found  that  broken  limbs  and  fallen  trunks  would 
prevent  horses  from  descending  to  the  glen  from  the 
roadway,  and  having  with  difficulty  reached  this  him- 
self, he  was  fortunate  enough  to  see  just  below,  and 
making  their  way  up  a  slight  rise,  the  seneschal  and 
several  men  breaking  the  way  through  the  drifts 
and  leading  two  horses.  He  caused  them  to  cut 
away  branches  and  otherwise  make  the  pathway  into 
the  glen  clearer,  so  that  he  was  enabled  to  bring  out 
the  lady  without  much  trouble ;  and  seating  her  on 
one  of  the  horses,  he  mounted  the  other,  and  they 
made  their  way  slowly  to  the  castle.  There  was, 
however,  less  and  less  snow  as  they  approached 
Eagle's  Crag ;  it  being  evident  that  the  tornado  and 
snow-squall  had  expended  the  greater  part  of  its 
force  and  volume  on  the  line  of  the  ravine  leading  up 
from  the  Swan  Maiden's  Dell. 

They  found  Lady  Dacre  in  great  alarm  about  them, 


THE  BLACK   TEMPEST.  255 

fearing  that  they  had  been  overwhelmed  by  the  tor- 
nado. She  gave  all  the  credit  due  for  their  escape 
to  the  little  saint  on  the  wall  of  the  ruined  shrine, 
and  vowed  the  said  saint  a  dozen  wax  candles,  with 
promise  of  repairs  and  renovation  before  the  next 
Michaelmas. 

"  You  called  this  tornado  the  '  Black  Tempest,' 
Miss  Vivienne,"  said  Percy;  "is  it  a  frequent  phe- 
nomenon here?" 

"  Prithee,  pardon  me,  but  I  understand  thee  not," 
replied  the  puzzled  girl.  "  Wilt  be  kind,  and  talk  in 
English?" 

He  laughed  and  apologized.  "  'T  is  I,"  he  said, 
"who  need  pardon.  I  should  have  known  that  you 
had  not  studied  American.  I  meant  to  ask  if  such 
storms  were  common  here." 

"  Not  so,"  replied  Lady  Dacre;  "they  come  some- 
time just  before  Yuletide,  but  scarce  ever  after. 
'T  is  two  years  since  there  hath  come  one ;  and  this 
was  very  fierce.  Howbeit,  they  be  all  so,  for  that 
matter.  'T  is  death  or  wounds  to  be  caught  by  them 
beyond  shelter." 

At  evening  came  strange  tidings.  A  clansman 
arrived  from  the  chieftain  to  say  that,  three  days 
before,  the  armies  of  the  confederated  lords  and  of 
the  Earl  of  Sussex  had  arrived  within  striking  dis- 
tance of  each  other,  but  that  battle  did  not  seem 
imminent.  There  had  been  two  or  three  skirmishes, 
in  one  of  which  the  Ben-Ardlacs  had  driven  the 
Lord  Hurst  of  Dill  from  an  advanced  position.     They 


256  CENTURIES  APART. 

had  met  with  no  loss,  but  had  taken  a  gun  and  some 
dozens  of  prisoners.  The  wary  Sussex  was  well  in- 
trenched in  a  strongly  situated  camp,  and  awaiting 
the  arrival  of  the  King's  trusted  general,  Lord 
Willoughby,  with  the  combined  arrays  of  North 
Devon  and  Yorkshire.  Sussex  was  unlikely  to  come 
out  and  fight,  although  superior  in  numbers  and 
cannon  to  the  army  under  Douglas,  for  with  Wil- 
loughby he  would  be  well  nigh  irresistible.  More- 
over he  would  lose  no  strength  by  delay,  while 
the  mountain  clans  which  composed  a  quarter  of 
Douglas's  force  were  impatient  at  protracted  cam- 
paigns, and  could  not  be  kept  waiting  long  unless  a 
battle  seemed  in  the  very  near  future.  On  the  other 
hand,  Douglas  did  not  feel  strong  enough  to  attack 
Sussex  in  his  camp ;  and  moreover,  he  was  hourly 
expecting  the  arrival  of  his  Grace,  who  should  take 
command,  but  who  was  unaccountably  delayed. 
Sussex  certainly  would  not  attack  the  Northern 
lords  in  the  fens,  where  they  were  encamped,  as  he 
could  not  do  so  without  great  risk,  and  the  defeat  of 
his  army  would  mean  the  enclosing  of  the  King 
between  the  two  arrays  of  the  Duke  of  Egremond 
and  the  Western   insurgents. 

Such  was  the  condition  of  affairs  with  the  clan  ;  but 
the  messenger  brought  news  of  graver  immediate 
moment  to  the  weak  little  garrison  at  Eagle's  Crag. 
He  had  lain  at  a  village  the  night  before,  where  he 
learned  that  the  ruthless  Lord  of  Pembroke,  with 
nigh  three  hundred  of  his  brigands,  had  taken  the 


THE  BLACK    TEMPEST.  2 $7 

little  tower  of  Arden,  belonging  to  a  knight  now  with 
Douglas,  and  put  the  inmates,  without  regard  to  age 
or  sex,  to  the  sword.  This  was  distant  only  twelve 
miles  across  the  hills  from  Eagle's  Crag,  of  which 
Pembroke  knew  the  weak  condition,  and  had  boasted 
that  he  would  subject  to  a  like  fate  before  two  suns 
had  set.  The  villagers  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
lake,  who  were  all  Ben-Ardlacs,  had  already  driven 
their  flocks  and  herds,  and  had  taken  their  sick  and 
infirm  either  to  the  higher  mountains,  or  brought 
them  to  Eagle's  Crag  to  escape  these  ruffians ;  and 
the  inhabitants  of  the  hamlets  below  the  castle  had, 
with  all  their  possessions,  taken  refuge  at  the  Crag. 
Percy  questioned  the  seneschal  closely  as  to  the 
defences  of  the  castle,  and  late  in  the  afternoon  walked 
with  him  down  the  hill.  He  found  but  one  road 
possible  to  be  taken  by  an  attacking  party,  —  the  one 
by  which  he  had  come.  It  was  through  a  ravine 
winding  upward  to  the  crest  of  the  ascent,  and  with 
side  walls  so  steep  and  high  as  to  make  of  it  a  perfect 
canon.  The  only  other  way  of  gaining  the  promontory, 
upon  the  highest  cliff  of  which  the  castle  was  perched, 
was  by  boats ;  and  the  landing  must  be  at  the  sole 
accessible  point,  which  was  the  Swan  Maiden's  Dell, 
a  place  quite  capable  of  defence.  But  there  would 
be  no  attack  by  water,  for  lack  of  a  sufficient  number 
of  boats  on  the  lake.  So  that  fact  reduced  the  con- 
siderations relating  to  defence  to  the  simple  calcula- 
tion as  to  how  the  passage  up  the  ravine  might  best 
be    disputed.     Percy   selected    a   turn    in    this    road 

17 


258  CENTURIES  APART. 

where  a  few  men  might  for  a  time  stop  the  approach 
of  an  army.  He  immediately  returned  to  the  castle, 
where,  as  soon  as  he  entered  the  hall,  he  was  met  by 
Vivienne  Dacre,  who  said  to  him,  — 

"  A  word  in  private,  Captain  Percy,  an  it  please 
you." 

She  led  him  to  a  small  room  opening  from  the 
hall.  She  was  very  pale,  and  the  tourmaline  eyes 
had  veiled  their  witchery. 

"  Sir,"  she  said,  in  almost  inaudible  tones,  "  we 
have  an  adage  which  saith,  '  Bread  to  the  coming, 
wings  to  the  flying,  who  pray  refuge ;  '  and  we  can 
no  longer  be  sure  of  sheltering  you  here,  for  it  is  a 
miracle  if  we  can  hold  the  tower,  with  twoscore  old 
men  and  boys,  against  the  ruffian  scum  which  come 
against  it.  But  we  must  do  our  devoir,  and  trust  in 
Heaven  for  the  issue.  'T  is  different  with  you.  'T  is 
your  devoir  to  join  your  army  as  soon  as  may  be  ; 
and  if  you  are  pent  up  here,  a  siege,  with  massacre 
at  the  end,  may  be  your  fate.  Now  have  I  prepared 
a  way  for  your  departure  which  I  believe  to  be  in 
fair  degree  safe.  At  night-fall  a  large  boat,  which  will 
hold  you  and  your  men  and  the  rowers,  with  a  guide, 
will  be  at  the  Swan  Maiden's  Dell.  You  must  swim 
your  horses,  and  will  be  put  on  land  as  near  as  may 
be  to  St.  Helen's.  The  guide,  who  is  a  faithful  youth, 
will  conduct  you  to  one  or  the  other  of  the  opposing 
armies,  in  either  of  which  will  be  courtesy  and  safe 
conduct  for  you.  Be  ready  to  start  at  the  gloaming. 
And  —  and  —  remember  the  friends   at  Eagle's  Crag, 


THE  BLACK    TEMPEST.  259 

who,  whether  life  or  death  be  their  dole,  will — one 
oi'  them  at  least  —  ne'er  forget,  e'en  in  death's  dark 
shadow  —  " 

She  turned  haughtily  to  the  window,  trying  con- 
vulsively to  control  herself.  Percy  took  her  hand 
gently,  and  ignoring  all  that  she  had  said  about  his 
going,  asked  kindly,  "  And  in  case  the  castle  is 
taken  by  the  ruffian  lord  whose  wooing  was  spurned, 
what  will  Vivienne  Dacre  do?  " 

She  turned  swiftly,  and  the  firelight  flashed  into 
her  eyes  again.  She  drew  a  long,  gleaming  dagger 
from  her  bosom.  "  This,"  she  said,  "  is  my  dearest 
friend  at  need.  It  lieth  warm  on  my  heart.  Before 
he  laid  hands  on  me,  it  would  rest  warmer  in  my 
heart.     Thou  'rt  answered." 

"  That  is  well,  —  and  brave,"  replied  he,  smiling. 

"  And  now,"  she  said  briskly,  choking  her  emotion, 
"  wilt  be  ready  at  the  hour?  " 

"  Yes,"  he  replied  dryly,  "  I  trust  to  be  ready  for 
the  undertaking  which  I  propose.  Do  not,  I  beseech, 
consider  me  as  desiring  to  terminate  this  most  de- 
lightful interview,  if  I  request  you  to  invite  your 
respected  mother  to  favor  me  with  a  moment's 
conversation  without  delay." 

"  Ah !  "  she  gasped,  looking  distressed,  "  thou 
talkest  in  American  again.  'T  is  not  kind,  sir;  for 
thou  knowest  I  comprehend  only  English  and  French 
tongues;  "  and  she  actually  began  to  be  grieved. 

"  Oh,  forgive  me  !  "  he  cried  in  remorseful  tones, 
carrying    the    not    unwilling    little    hand    to  his  lips. 


260  CENTURIES  APART. 

"  Indeed,  I  did  not  mean  to  mock  you,  child.  That 
is  good  English,  but  I  forgot  that  it  is  too  modern. 
Pray,  then,  beg  the  Lady  Dacre  to  allow  me  a 
moment's  converse  with  her." 

"  What  mean  you?  There  's  surely  but  short  space 
for  farewell,  and  —  instant  departure  —  for  your  own 
safety." 

"  You  are  right,"  he  replied  ;  "  there  is  but  short 
space  for  what  I  wish  to  do."  He  opened  the  door 
and  came  upon  Lady  Dacre. 

"  Madam,"  he  said,  "  do  you  wish  to  give  me 
command,  under  yourself,  of  your  castle?" 

"What  mean  you,  sir?  "  cried  the  lady,  in  surprise. 

"  Will  you  trust  me,  as  a  soldier  of  experience, 
Madam,  to  direct  the  defence  of  this  post?" 

"  But,  sir,"  she  said,  "  't  is  for  you  —  hath  not  my 
daughter  informed  you  of  the  arrangement  for  your 
escape?  " 

"  She  has,  Lady  Dacre.  But  when  I  leave  your 
hospitable  roof,  I  hope  it  will  be  over  the  bodies  of 
your  enemies.  I  have  surveyed  the  ground  with 
your  seneschal,  and  —  to  make  few  words  of  it, 
Madam,  for  time  presses  —  I  want  the  services  of  a 
score  of  men  with  axes.  I  do  not  propose  that  the 
foe  shall  ever  reach  this  cliff  on  which  Eagle's  Crag 
stands.  Will  you  at  once  direct  the  seneschal  to 
obey  my  orders?  " 

"  Yes  !  "  cried  the  lady,  "  and  God's  blessing  attend 
thee,  noble  guest,  whether  thou  dost  elect  to  stay 
and  share  our  fortunes  or  no.  Thou  art  not  called 
to  do  so." 


THE  BLACK   TEMPEST.  26 1 

She  hastened  away  to  give  the  orders. 
"  And  wouldst  thou  share  our  fate,  brave  youth  ?  " 
asked  the  girl,  under  her  breath. 
"  Why  not?  "  said  Percy,  smiling. 
"Wherefore    dost   thou    this?"    she    asked    again, 
looking   at    him    keenly,  her  beautiful   head   turning 
half  away  from   him  with  a  swan-like    movement. 

"  Honor,  duty,  gratitude,  tenderness,"  he  replied 
quickly.  She  caught  at  the  last  word,  and  moving 
near,  gazed  at  him  with  a  witching  look  in  her  half- 
closed  eyes.  All  at  once  the  irresistible  and  weird 
fascination  encompassed  her  again  like  an  atmos- 
phere.    She  took  his  hand. 

"  How  may  I  thank  you  for  this  ?  "  she  murmured. 

"Do  not  hold  me  now,  Vivienne,"  he  said;  "for 
your  safety's,  your  life's  sake,  I  must  not  dally  now." 
He  shook  himself  free  of  the  spell,  and  was  a  brisk 
soldier  again.  "  I  go  now,"  he  said,  "  to  arrange  my 
outwork.     Here  are  the  seneschal  and  his  men." 

He  went  out,  calling  his  servant  Alois,  who 
appeared  at  once.  "Alois,"  he  said,  "where  is 
trooper  Prynne?  " 

"  Ici,  mon  Capitaine,"  replied  Alois,  who  was 
an  octoroon  from  Louisiana,  eighteen  years  old, 
as  handsome  as  well  might  be,  and  passionately 
attached  to  Percy. 

"  Well,  but  where  is  ici?  Your  ici  generally  means 
nowhere." 

"  A  la  port.  Zat  ees,  at  ze  door,  Capitaine," 
replied  the  boy. 


202  CENTURIES  APART. 

"  Call  him,  —  and  speak  English. 

"  Prynne,"  said  the  Captain,  when  the  soldier  ap- 
peared, "  how  many  rounds  of  ammunition  did  you 
bring?  " 

"  Forty,  Captain,"  was  the  reply. 

"Are  you  a  good  shot?" 

"  I  am  called  the  best  in  the  squadron." 

"  Well,  I  think  that  we  three  will  have  to  take  a 
hand  in  the  defence  of  this  castle,  which  will  proba- 
bly be  attacked  by  to-morrow  by  a  band  of  cut- 
throats, led  by  a  ruffianly  baron.  I  propose  that  we 
shall  cut  them  up  pretty  well  before  they  can  get 
near  the  hill.  Alois,  you  brought  my  Winchester, 
and  you  have  your  own  rifle.  How  many  rounds 
for  each?  " 

"Trente  ou  quarante,  mon  Capitaine  —  zat  ees," 
he  corrected  himself  hurriedly,  "  fortee  ou  tirtee." 

"  Is  that  all?  "  said  Percy,  disappointed.  "  I  hoped 
you  had  a  hundred  for  each." 

"  Veil,  so  dere  vas,  mais  Capitaine  Paircee,  he  pair- 
meet  ze  Sare  Harree  Paircee  fire  avay  many  rounds 
ze  Vendredi  last  past  gone  avay,"  replied  Alois, 
ruefully. 

"  True,"  said  Percy,  regretfully.  "  Well,  we  can 
answer  for  a  good  many,  I  think,  with  what  we  have. 
We  '11  show  them  a  little  Yankee  fighting.  See  that 
your  pieces  are  clean  and  ready  for  work." 

As  they  went  away  Percy  proceeded,  with  the 
seneschal  and  his  men,  to  the  bend  in  the  ravine 
road,  about  half-way  down  the  hill,  where  he  caused 


THE   BLACK    TEMPEST.  263 

trees  to  be  cut  and  rocks  to  be  rolled  into  the  road- 
way to  form  a  breastwork  and  impenetrable  barrier 
against  cavalry.  Before  twilight  this  was  finished, 
and  a  line  of  chevaux-de-frise  made  in  front. 

"  My  Lord  will  fight  here?  "  asked  the  seneschal. 

"  Yes,  and  I  want  you  to  let  me  have  a  dozen 
archers  and  some  arquebusiers.  I  mean  that  those 
rascals  shall  never  get  nearer  than  this  to  Eagle's 
Crag.     Seneschal,  will  your  men  fight  to  the  death?" 

"What!  my  mountaineers?  the  Ben-Ardlacs? " 
cried  the  man,  with  a  surprised  and  hurt  look.  "  My 
Lord,  no  one  of  them  knoweth  how  to  turn  his  back. 
I  would  spare  the  foe  myself  to  slay  any  such 
recreant." 

"  Now,"  continued  Percy,  "  have  you  good  watch 
and  ward  down  the  lake?  " 

"  The  best,  my  Lord  Captain.  If  the  rascaille  scum 
are  seen  the  other  side  of  the  Pembroke  pass  to-night, 
the  fire  will  blaze  from  the  Owl's  Head." 

"  Where  is  that?  " 

"  Yon  black  height  beyond  the  lake  —  " 

"Well  said!  Now  keep  good  watch  at  the  castle, 
and  call  me  if  anything  unusual  is  seen." 

Percy  went  back  to  the  tower,  ate  his  supper,  bid 
the  ladies  good-night,  and  after  making  the  rounds 
of  the  defences,  went  to  bed  and  slept  soundly. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THE  DEFENCE  OF  EAGLE'S  CRAG. 

For  lady  fair 
See  that  thou  fight. 

Marmion. 

ABOUT  one  o'clock  in  the  morning  he  was  awakened 
by  a  knock  at  his  door,  and  as  he  had  not  undressed 
he  sprang  up  and  opened  it. 

Vivienne  stood  there,  her  great  mass  of  dark  hair 
enveloping  her  lithe  form,  her  eyes  flashing  in  the 
light  of  the  torch  borne  by  a  servant,  her  face  deadly 
pale. 

"  The  fiery  cross  on  Owl's  Head,  Captain,"  she 
said. 

Percy  seized  and  belted  on  his  sabre,  thrust  his 
revolvers  in  his  belt,  took  his  rifle  and  slipped  in  a 
cartridge,  shouted  to  his  men  in  the  adjoining  apart- 
ment, who  appeared  fully  armed,  and  then  followed 
the  maiden  to  the  turret,  from  which  he  saw  a  strange 
sight.  On  the  black  face  of  the  mountain  across  the 
lake  was  a  veritable  blazing  cross !  It  must  have 
been  formed  from  piles  of  combustibles  arranged 
down  the  steep  side  of  a  precipice  for  a  considerable 
extent.  It  was  burning  brightly,  and  about  its  own 
length  below  it,  was  another  single  fire. 


THE  DEFENCE   OF  EAGLE'S  CRAG.        265 

"  That  meaneth,"  remarked  the  maiden,  "  that  the 
foe  is  marching  rapidly  through  the  pass." 

"  How  long  before  they  will  reach  the  lake  and 
cross  the  bar?  " 

"  'T  is  near  sunrise  now,  Sir  Captain,"  replied  the 
seneschal,  who  had  joined  them.  "  They  will,  doubt- 
less, halt  in  the  hamlet  opposite,  to  eat,  ere  they 
attack.  They  may  be  looked  for  in  two  hours' 
time." 

"  Let  your  men  have  a  stout  breakfast,  and  send 
those  whom  I  want  with  me,  to  the  outwork  within 
an  hour,  unless  the  enemy  appear  sooner.  What 
range  has  this  gun?"  he  continued,  laying  his  hand 
on  the  little  culverin  near  by. 

The  seneschal  hesitated. 

"Verily,  I  know  not  thy  meaning,  my  Lord,"  he 
replied,  puzzled. 

"  Will  your  cannon  shoot  to  the  bar  ?  And  have 
you  men  who  can  shoot  it  straight?  " 

"  That  can  I,  my  Lord,  and  it  will  reach  the  bar," 
rejoined  the  man,  proudly. 

"  Then,  when  they  cross  the  narrow  part,  give  them 
a  round  or  two  and  hasten  to  join  me.  Dispose  the 
rest  of  your  men  to  make  the  best  fight  possible  at 
the  castle  in  case  we  all  fall;  and  tell  your  men  it  is 
victory  or  certain  massacre  for  all  of  us." 

"  Ne'er  fear,  my  Lord.  They  will  die  e'er  the  foe 
cross  the  drawbridge,  if  we  cannot  stop  them  with 
our  lives  at  yon  gorge,"  said  the  man. 

"  Stop  !  there  are  no  boats  left  on  the  other  side 
the  lake  ?  " 


266  CENTURIES  APART. 

"  Only  one,  my  Lord,  on  which  our  sentinel  is  now 
coming  from  the  Owl's  Head.  There  he  cometh, 
passing  the  Isles  of  the  Three  Spirits.  The  other 
boats  are  all  drawn  up  in  the  wood  at  the  Swan 
Maiden's  Dell." 

"  That  is  well.  Now  all  is  ready."  Percy  descended 
to  the  hall.  The  ladies,  pale  as  ashes,  but  brave  and 
cheery,  were  at  the  board.  Vivienne  watched  Percy 
wistfully  as  he  ate  a  substantial  meal ;  and  the  men 
below  the  salt  did  like  justice  to  the  good  cheer. 

The  dreamy  Percy  was  transfigured.  I  who  write 
know  whereof  I  speak,  for  was  he  not  my  friend,  and 
more  than  that  ? 

Suddenly  the  gun  boomed  from  the  battlements. 
Percy  sprang  to  his  feet. 

"  Down  to  the  breastwork,  men,  double  quick !  " 
he  shouted.  "  Alois,  take  my  rifle.  I  '11  be  there 
shortly."  He  rushed  up  to  the  tower.  The  sene- 
schal was  there  at  the  gun,  with  three  more  men, 
hastily  re-loading. 

"  Hurrah  !  my  Lord  Captain,"  he  shouted.  "  My 
first  shot  struck  them  in  front."  Percy  saw  the  head 
of  a  column  of  cavalry  in  disorder  on  the  narrow 
causeway  or  bar.  Two  or  three  horses  were  down 
struggling,  and  one  or  two  knights  were  trying  to 
restore  order  and  get  the  way  cleared. 

"  Shall  I  fire  after  the  next  shot,  sir?  "  asked  the 
seneschal. 

"  Judge  for  yourself,  Seneschal,"  replied  Percy. 
"  Get  in  more  if  you  can.  Then  rejoin  me  at  the 
breastwork.     Whom  leave  you  in  charge  here?" 


THE  DEFENCE   OF  EAGLE'S  CRAG.        267 

"  A  good  man,  the  archer  Robin  Oakleaf." 

"  Good  !  I  go  now ;  "  and  Percy  rushed  down,  to 
hear  as  he  descended  the  narrow  stairway  the  culverin 
boom  again,  and  another  wild  cheer  from  the  gunners. 

"  Ha !  that  has  told,  too,"  he  muttered. 

Hastening  through  the  hall  he  met  the  ladies. 
Lady  Dacre  knelt  and  called  the  blessing  and  pro- 
tection of  the  saints  on  him.  Vivienne  held  out  both 
her  hands.  He  caught  and  kissed  them,  and  was 
gone. 

He  ran  swiftly  to  the  breastwork,  the  drawbridge 
rising  after  him  as  he  passed  over,  and  the  portcullis 
rattling  down.  All  warders  and  men-at-arms  seemed 
to  be  at  their  posts.  At  the  barrier  he  found  his 
own  men  and  twenty  archers  and  arquebusiers,  who 
also  bore  long  spears.  They  huzzaed  lustily  as  he 
appeared. 

"  Now,  my  Yankees,"  said  he,  cheerily,  "  pick  out 
the  knights,  those  with  the  plumes,  and  aim  low  !  " 
He  took  his  rifle  and  cocked  it.  The  thunder  of 
hoofs  resounded,  coming  at  a  gallop  up  the  pass.  In 
a  moment  they  appeared  round  the  bend,  a  dark 
mass  of  men-at-arms,  headed  by  two  or  three  knights 
with  waving  plumes. 

"  Commence  firing,  and  keep  cool !  "  shouted  Percy, 
taking  aim  himself.  There  was  a  crashing  volley  of 
rifles  and  arquebuses,  and  a  flight  of  arrows  whistled 
away.  Then  the  Americans,  whose  arms  were  re- 
peaters, aimed  and  fired  again.  It  took  some  time 
to    load    the    clumsy   arquebuses ;     but   the   Yankees 


268  CENTURIES  APART. 

fired  so  fast  that  it  sounded  like  the  skirmish  fire  of 
a  large  party.  In  a  few  seconds  the  smoke  cleared, 
and  there  was  the  column,  still  staggering  forward, 
struggling  over  fallen  men  and  horses,  and  in  great 
confusion.  Every  American  shot  appeared  to  tell ; 
for  in  a  moment  there  was  a  halt,  then  a  rapid  and 
irregular  retrograde  movement,  and  the  enemy  dis- 
appeared round  the  curve,  leaving  a  dozen  of  men 
and  horses  struggling,  or  quite  still  where  they  fell. 

"  Hurrah  !  my  brave  fellows;  you  've  done  well !  " 
cried  Percy.  "  But  load  away!  They'll  be  back  in 
a  minute." 

Soon  the  enemy  re-appeared,  this  time  on  foot, 
running  up  the  rise,  a  knight  in  front  waving  his 
sword,  and  bearing  his  pennon  himself  in  his  left 
hand. 

"  Aha !  I  thought  so,"  muttered  the  Captain. 
"  Now  'twill  be  hand-to-hand;  "  and  he  drew  a  bead 
carefully  on  the  knight. 

A  few  files  back,  however,  rode  a  knight  with 
extraordinarily  heavy  plumes.  The  knight  in  front 
sprang  into  the  air  with  a  shriek  as  Percy's  rifle 
crashed,  and  this  mounted  one  spurred  to  the  front. 

"  Ha !"  cried  the  seneschal,  who  had  joined  the 
defenders,  "that  is  my  Lord  of  Pembroke  himself. 
Stand  to  it  stoutly,  sons  of  Ben-Ardlac ;  now  cometh 
the  hot  of  it !  " 

The  American  rifles  kept  up  their  steady,  deadly 
fire,  a  man  dropping  at  each  crack,  and  the  whirr  of 
the  arrows  continued  ;  but  the  arquebusiers  fired  only 


THE  DEFENCE   OF  EAGLE'S  CRAG.        269 

once  more,  and  then  throwing  aside  their  cumbrous 
pieces,  seized  their  spears  and  lined  the  barrier.  The 
enemy,  still  led  by  the  knight  of  the  heavy  plumes, 
pushed  fiercely  on  despite  their  severe  losses,  until 
they  reached  the  chevaux-de-frise,  only  some  two 
rods  away.  Here  they  were  detained,  cutting  fiercely 
away  at  the  obstruction  with  their  battle-axes. 

Several  of  the  assailants  fell,  but  they  gave  no 
ground,  and  finally  forced  a  passage.  Their  archers 
had  climbed  upon  rocks  at  the  side  of  the  pass, 
and  were  shooting  at  the  defenders,  some  of  whom 
dropped.  Meanwhile  Pembroke  himself  rushed  stub- 
bornly on,  followed  by  his  men-at-arms,  who  with 
louds  shouts  began  to  climb  the  breastwork.  Percy, 
raising  his  piece,  aimed  point-blank  at  the  Baron,  and 
fired  his  last  shot ;  but  unfortunately  it  glanced  off  his 
helmet  and  struck  the  man  next  to  him  through  the 
brain.  Suddenly  Pembroke's  head  and  shoulders 
appeared  above  the  parapet.  He  instantly  rose  yet 
higher,  and  made  a  furious  downward  thrust  with  his 
sword  at  Percy.  The  seneschal  partially  parried  the 
weapon  ;  but  it  cut  through  the  Captain's  uniform,  and 
the  hilt  struck  his  side,  hurling  him  backward.  The 
Captain  seized  his  opponent's  wrist  as  he  fell,  and 
fired  his  pistol  squarely  in  the  man's  face.  His  enemy, 
pitching  forward  heavily,  struck  on  his  head,  and  lay 
motionless.  There  was  fierce  stabbing  and  hacking 
at  the  few  men-at-arms  who  climbed  the  works,  and 
in  a  moment  the  enemy  recoiled,  although  still  facing 
the  Ben-Ardlacs  in  surly  rage.     Then  ensued  for  a 


270  CENTURIES  APART. 

few  seconds  a  cessation  of  the  savage  struggle,  during 
which  brief  space  there  was  heard  loud  shouting  and 
clashing  of  arms  further  down  the  pass.  Then  came 
another  surge  forward  of  the  attack,  and  suddenly 
Percy  became  aware  of  something  waving  over  him 
in  the  air.  Glancing  back  he  saw  some  twenty  men, 
the  defenders  who  had  been  left  to  man  the  castle, 
rushing  to  reinforce  his  line.  At  their  head  was 
Vivienne  Dacre,  her  long  hair  streaming  in  the  wind, 
the  banner  of  the  Ben-Ardlac  clan  in  her  hands,  her 
eyes  blazing  like  flame,  her  face  gleaming  with  war- 
like beauty,  —  a  perfect  Bellona. 

"  Listen  !  "  she  called  to  Percy,  in  a  tone  like  a  silver 
trumpet;  "my  brother's  pennon  is  on  the  narrow  way. 
The  clan  Ben-Ardlac  attack  the  foe  in  the  rear.  If 
we  hold  them  back  here,  not  a  man  of  the  scum 
escapeth  us !  Show  them  no  pity,  clan  of  the 
Mountain  Bear!"  she  cried,  waving  her  banner. 

The  arrows  were  meantime  flying  thickly.  Percy 
felt  one  tear  through  his  sleeve,  slightly  cutting  the 
arm.  Several  clansmen  were  struck  down.  He 
seized  the  wild  girl  and  drew  her  from  her  exposed 
position,  and  snatching  the  banner  from  her  grasp 
gave  it  into  the  hands  of  a  mountaineer.  Then  he 
bore  her,  struggling  to  free  herself,  to  an  old  man  who 
lay  against  a  rock  with  an  arrow  through  his  side. 

"  Here  !  "  cried  he  ;  "  hold  your  Lady  in  the  shel- 
ter, out  of  their  shooting !  "  The  dying  clansman 
with  a  last  desperate  effort  seized  the  maiden,  and 
held  her  out  of  the  danger,  despite  her  indignation. 


THE    DEFEXCE   OF  EAGLE'S   CRAG.       27 1 

Percy  sprang  to  the  works  again,  and  perceiving 
that  the  enemy  were  giving  way,  he  could  no  longer 
restrain  his  cavalry  instincts.  Drawing  his  sabre,  and 
with  his  revolver  in  the  left  hand,  he  leaped  over  the 
works,  followed  by  the  mountain  warriors  shouting 
their  battle-cry.  The  enemy  fairly  turned  and  fled; 
but  the  Ben-Ardlacs  were  upon  them  in  a  moment, 
cutting  them  down  mercilessly.  Then  in  an  instant 
Captain  Percy  saw  his  mistake.  The  enemy,  penned 
in  the  narrow  way  by  an  attack  both  in  front  and  rear, 
finally  turned  in  dogged  despair,  and  being  mostly  in 
armor,  they  had  the  advantage  in  hand-to-hand  com- 
bat. For  a  moment  things  looked  very  ominous  for 
Percy  and  his  men  ;  but  he  and  his  Americans  drew  off 
a  few  steps,  and  used  their  revolvers  rapidly.  These 
produced  such  execution  that  a  fresh  panic  seized  the 
assailants,  who,  throwing  away  their  arms  and  falling 
on  their  knees,  shrieked  for  mercy.  They  might  as 
well  have  asked  it  of  fiends.  They  were  cut  down 
and  slaughtered  as  if  they  had  been  wolves,  — being, 
indeed,  no  better  than  such  ravenous  beasts,  and  were 
but  receiving  the  fate  to  which  they  had  devoted  the 
clan  Ben-Ardlac. 

While  Percy  was  climbing  the  breastwork  to  lead 
his  men  to  this  attack,  he  had  suddenly  glanced  back- 
ward at  Vivienne  Ben-Ardlac,  and  had  witnessed  an 
act  which  almost  unnerved  him. 

And  now  the  victory  being  won,  the  butchery  going 
on  under  his  eyes  was  so  terribly  revolting  that  he 
leaned  for  an  instant  against  a  rock,  becoming  sensible 


272  CENTURIES  APART. 

at  the  same  time  of  a  faintness  which  he  soon  found 
had  a  physical  cause.  He  felt  a  warm  stream  flowing 
down  his  side.  In  a  moment  more  everything  grew 
misty  before  his  eyes,  and  he  sank  to  the  earth;  while 
the  fight,  or  rather  massacre,  swept  down  the  pass. 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

SHE   LOVED   NOT   WISELY,  BUT  TOO   WELL. 

A  weary  lot  is  thine,  fair  maid, 

A  weary  lot  is  thine  ! 
To  pull  the  thorn  thy  brow  to  braid, 

And  press  the  rue  for  wine  ! 

Rokeby. 

When  Arthur  Percy  opened  his  eyes  to  conscious- 
ness he  found  himself  lying  on  a  bed  in  a  room  of 
the  castle.  Several  people  were  around  him,  and 
some  were  just  finishing  the  dressing  and  bandaging 
of  a  wound  in  his  side.  He  recognized  the  face  of 
Alois,  then  that  of  the  Lady  Dacre,  and  next  he  saw 
the  handsome  visage  of  the  chief  Ruval  Ben-Ardlac, 
otherwise  Lord  Dacre,  who  bent  over  him  and  was 
holding  and  wringing  his  right  hand. 

"  Welcome  back  to  thy  senses,  gallant  guest  and 
friend  !  "  cried  the  chieftain,  looking  vastly  relieved. 
"  'T  is  to  thee  we  owe  our  victory  !  And  let  me  tell 
thee  thou  hast  not  a  bad  wound,  nor  one  which  had 
much  weakened  thee,  save  that  thy  hurt  at  Ravens- 
clyffe  had  made  thee  unfit  for  such  rare  fighting.  My 
halidom  !  for  a  man  without  armor  to  have  over- 
come and  slain  the  fell  Pembroke  in  complete  mail ! 
And  I  tell  thee,  noble  stranger,  't  is  to  thee  I  owe  the 


274  CENTURIES  APART. 

lives  of  these  my  mother  and  sister,  and  my  castle  and 
clan  !  By  Saint  Anne  of  the  Shrine,  but  what  can  I 
say  to  thee  !  " 

"  Thank  Heaven  for  the  outcome,"  said  Arthur,  in  a 
low  voice.  "  But  had  it  not  been  for  your  coming 
upon  their  rear  as  you  did,  my  Lord,  I  fear  that  the 
brave  handful  of  your  clan  had  not  withstood  so  fierce 
an  attack.     We  were  too  few  for  them." 

"  I  think  not,"  replied  the  chief.  "  They  were 
already  beginning  to  withdraw  to  their  horses  when 
we,  fortunately,  came  up.  Their  leaders  slain  by  you, 
they  e'en  had  lost  heart.  They  looked  not  for  such 
resistance,  —  the  fell  scum  of  murdering  villains ! 
But  here  I  rave,  and  thou  shouldst  rest  and  sleep. 
To-morrow  thou  shalt  have  tidings.  Meanwhile  all 
thy  friends  be  safe  and  sound,  and  are  with  our  array 
in  the  fens.  Sleep  well  now  on  that.  Till  the 
morrow,   farewell." 

The  Lady  Dacre  now  gave  Percy  a  sleeping- 
draught,  and  all  then  withdrew  from  the  chamber 
save  Alois,  who  remained  in  attendance.  Percy  slept 
for  many  hours.  When  he  awoke  it  was  early  the 
next  day.     Alois  still  sat  by  his  bedside. 

Percy  looked  up.  "Alois,"  said  he,  "  how  came  I 
wounded?     I  knew  nothing  about  it." 

"  Ah,  mon  Capitaine,"  replied  the  octoroon,  "  ze 
sword  de  zat  dog  Pembroke  it  cut  ze  Capitaine's 
uniform  and  make  to  bleed  ze  side.  Ze  hurt  ees  not 
deep.  You  be  veil  soon,  sare,  eef  you  lie  steel  zis 
two,  tree  day." 


LOVED   NOT   WISELY,    BUT   TOO   WELL.      275 

Alois  bathed  Percy's  face  and  head,  and  made  him 
more  comfortable.  There  was  a  knock  at  the  door, 
and  upon  its  being  opened  the  Lady  Dacre  and  her 
daughter  entered.  After  kind  inquiries  about  his 
health  and  rest,  the  lady  ordered  Alois  to  get  his 
breakfast,  and  a  moment  after  said  that  she  would  go 
herself  and  see  to  the  preparation  of  a  meal  for  Percy, 
which  Alois  would  be  ready  to  bring  by  the  time  it 
was  prepared.  Vivienne  was  thus  left  alone  with 
Percy. 

Suddenly  it  rushed  into  the  young  man's  recollec- 
tion that  he  had  not  seen  her  since  he  led  the  sortie 
from  the  breastwork  the  day  before  (it  seemed  to  him 
at  least  a  week  since  the  fight),  and  he  remembered 
what  he  had  witnessed  at  a  glance  at  that  time. 
The  thought  of  it  gave  him  a  shudder,  and  he  turned 
his  face  involuntarily  to  the  wall.  She  started  back 
trembling  and  walked  to  the  window,  where  she 
stood  looking  out  and  holding  on  as  if  for  support 
to  the  side  of  the  casement. 

Now  what  Percy  had  seen  was  this:  as  he  climbed 
upon  the  breastwork  to  spring  over  and  lead  the 
counter-attack,  he  glanced  back.  The  Lord  Pem- 
broke, who  had  fallen  apparently  dead  inside  the 
works,  had  sat  up  and  was  trying  to  rise,  sword  in 
hand.  But  Vivienne  Dacre  threw  herself  upon  him 
like  a  tigress,  and  drove  her  long  dagger  again  and 
again  between  the  bars  of  his  helmet.  Percy  did  not 
wait  to  see  more,  but  the  fact  was  that  in  the  sequel 
the  wretch  fell  back  dead. 


2J6  CENTURIES  APART. 

Finally  the  girl  turned  partly  from  the  window  and 
looked  at  him  askance.  "  They  tell  me  thou  didst 
take  no  hand  in  the  killing  after  the  fight." 

"  No,"  he  replied. 

"And  you  ne'er  slay  in  the  pursuit  in  your  land?" 

He  was  about  to  answer  "  No,"  but  thought  of 
Winchester  and  some  other  battles,  and  was  silent. 
At  last  he  said,  "  I  never  did.  But  we  do  not  kill 
prisoners,  especially  wounded  ones." 

"  But  you  shot  that  wretch  down  and  left  him 
stunned,  to  come  to  himself  again  to  rise  and  stab 
you  in  the  back.  And  because  I  was  there,  —  I, 
whom  he  had  devoted,  together  with  my  kin  and 
clan,  to  slaughter,  after  having  sworn  basest  insult 
to  me  that  I  would  not  wed  him,  —  because  I  was 
happy  enow  to  be  by,  and  to  save  you  and  avenge 
myself  and  my  own  by  a  dagger  stroke,  —  you  look 
darkly  away  from  me  as  I  were  a  mountain  she- 
wolf!  "  She  burst  into  a  torrent  of  uncontrollable 
sobs   and  tears. 

Percy  was  terrified.  "No,  no,  no!  "  he  cried,  "  I 
pray  you  do  not  think  this.  I  did  not  understand. 
Indeed,  I  thought  the  man  was  mortally  wounded, 
and  it — it  startled  me  to  see  you — strike  him.  I 
pray  you  not  think  me  ungrateful.  Come  here." 
But  she  leaned  against  the  wall,  weeping  bitterly,  and 
looked  only  once  at  him,  with  a  face  of  intensely 
reproachful  grief.  Percy  tore  his  hair.  At  last  he 
started  up  on  one  elbow,  in  the  effort  displacing  a 
bandage,  and  instantly  a  stream  of  blood  flooded  his 


LOVED  NOT  WISELY,   BUT  TOO    WELL.     277 

left  side.  The  maiden  was  on  her  knees  by  the  low 
couch  in  an  instant,  the  thick  tresses  thrown  behind 
her  shoulders,  her  face  still  wet  with  tears,  yet  sob- 
bing, but  working  simply  and  deftly  to  adjust  the 
bandage  and  stop  the  bleeding.  It  was  no  great 
matter  to  accomplish  this ;  but  as  she  was  so  eager 
about  it,  Arthur  let  her  do  what  he  could  have  easily 
done  himself,  and  then  took  both  her  unresisting 
hands  in  his  own,  saying  very  gently :  — 

"  You  must  not  be  so  grieved  because  I  had  not 
seen  nor  understood  fully  about  that  thing  yesterday. 
You  mistake  me  wholly.  Indeed,  I  could  not  look 
'darkly'  at  or  away  from  you.  I  would  I  knew 
what  to  say  to  make  you  happy  again." 

He  stopped  in  spellbound  surprise  and  admiration. 
The  creature  kneeling  by  him  all  at  once  seemed  to 
change  her  nature.  She  raised  her  head  to  a  strange 
height,  and  then,  gently  and  slowly  turning  her  neck 
with  a  lithe,  swan-like  movement,  the  burning  brown 
eyes  slowly  approached  his,  until,  while  they  seemed 
to  look  through  his  soul,  his  own,  alas,  saw  clearly 
into  her  heart ! 

Again  the  fragrant  mist  of  fascination  seemed  to 
surround  and  exhale  from  her.  He  did  not  see 
her  lips  —  so  like  scarlet  rose-buds  —  move.  They 
seemed  to  be  slightly  parted,  and  only  breathing 
these  words,  in  scarcely  audible  yet  siren-like 
sweetness  of  tone :  "  Thou  canst  say  that  will  make 
me  happy  again,  —  and  evermore." 

"And   what  may  that  be?"  he  asked,  almost   as 


278  CENTURIES  APART. 

inaudibly,  and  speaking  only  to  gain  time  to  collect 
his  utterly  panic-stricken  thoughts;  for  in  bitter 
regret  and  sorrow  he  had  read  her  secret. 

"  Even  a  swan  maiden  may  not  tell  thee,"  she 
hardly  whispered.  And  she  dropped  her  burning 
face  until  it  almost  rested  on  his  heart. 

And  there,  beneath  his  disarranged  garments,  she 
saw  that  which  quite  rested  on  his  heart.  Quickly 
she  withdrew  her  hands  from  his  grasp.  Without 
seeming  effort  she  rose  instantly  to  her  full  height 
and  stood  quivering  above  him,  the  picture  of 
agonized  amazement,  with  fingers  strained  in  trem- 
ulous vehemence  over  her  bosom ;  the  face  half 
averted,  of  a  deathly  pallor;  blue  lips  parted  for 
quick,  short,  convulsive  gasps;  and  eyes  fairly  blaz- 
ing, fixed  upon  that  which  rested  on  his  heart. 

Arthur  Percy  looked  up  at  her,  soul-sick  with  help- 
less, useless  pity. 

Then  she  swooped  above  him  again  and  seized  the 
locket,  tearing  apart  the  chain  which  held  it  to  his 
neck,  and  opened  it,  fairly  devouring  the  picture 
within  with   feverish   gaze. 

"  Beautiful  Kate  Percy,"  she  murmured  to  herself 
in  a  hollow  tone,  —  "  as  my  dream,  —  as  the  swan 
sang !  " 

She  dropped  the  locket  on  his  breast  and  turned 
away,  standing  a  moment  quite  still,  grasping  her 
long,  black-brown  hair  with  both  hands,  and  gazing 
upward,  a  vivid  statue  of  despair. 

Then    she    turned    swiftly,    and    her    long   dagger 


LOVED   NOT  WISELY,   BUT  TOO    WELL.     279 

flashed  from  her  bosom  and  above  him.  For  an 
instant  she  towered  over  him  in  wild,  furious,  beauti- 
ful madness. 

Percy  had  no  time  for  fear,  or  even  to  formulate  a 
thought;  and  yet  he  remembered  afterward  that,  at 
the  moment,  it  had  shot  through  his  brain  that  the 
coincidence  would  be  a  singular  one  if  the  weapon 
which  had  ended  the  life  of  her  ruffian  lover  Pem- 
broke should  cut  the  thread  of  his  own. 

"  Pardonnez-moi,  Mademoiselle,"  said  Alois,  softly, 
as  his  hand  grasped  firmly  her  little  wrist;  "  eet 
ees  not  veil  to  cut  off  ze  lock  of  hair  to  ze  Capi- 
taine  unteel  he  avaken  himself  up.  He  might 
start  in  hees  dreams  and  make  to  himself  to  be 
hurt.     Venez,  s'il  vous  plait." 

He  gently  but  sternly  drew  her  toward  the  door. 
She  looked  at  him  in  dazed  wonder,  but  followed 
for  a  few  steps  unresistingly.  Then  her  eyes  rested 
on  the  dagger,  and  she  stopped  short  and  drew  her 
hand  over  her  forehead  with  a  troubled  expression. 
At  length  she  came  to  herself,  and  gave  the  weapon 
into  his  hands,  saying  in  a  low,  hurried  voice:  — 

"  You  need  fear  not  more,  Alois.     It  is  all  over." 

She  turned  and  walked  swiftly  again  to  Percy,  and 
stooping  quickly  she  took  his  face  between  her  ice- 
cold  hands  and  kissed  him  again  and  again,  with  lips 
which  seemed  to  scorch;  and  while  the  man,  mis- 
erable with  bitterest  remorse  and  sympathy,  lay  half 
choking  under  her  desperate  caresses,  she  was  no 
longer  there ! 


280  CENTURIES  APART. 

"  Alois,"  he  said  hoarsely,  when  they  were  alone, 
"  never  a  word  of  this  while  you  live  !  " 

"Nevaire,  Monsieur,"  replied  the  octoroon,  in  an 
awe-struck  voice.  "  Ze  poor  young  mam'zelle  ees 
mad  !  " 

And,  fortunately,  so  Alois  ever  after  believed. 

What  a  day  the  young  man  passed  !  Severely  he 
upbraided  himself ;  and  yet  as  he  thought  over  every 
hour  of  his  sojourn  at  the  Eagle's  Crag,  he  could 
recall  nothing  which  he  had  said  or  done  which  could 
have  led  to  this.  Full  as  heart  and  mind  were  of  the 
image  of  Kate  Percy,  he  had  not  dreamed  that  this 
weird,  exquisite  creature  could  love  him. 

He  had  accepted  hospitality  here,  and,  indeed, 
unquestionably  had  been  saved  from  destruction  at 
the  hands  of  the  ruffianly  Pembroke,  whom  he  would 
doubtless  have  encountered  in  the  mountain  passes 
had  he  not  been  sheltered  here ;  and  so  had  dread- 
ful sorrow  come  in  his  train  to  these  kind  friends. 
He  was  utterly  wretched,  and  determined  to  set  out 
as  soon  as  he  could  stand  and  ride. 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

PARTING. 

Now  farewell,  and  if  forever, 
Then  forever  fare  thee  well ! 

Byron. 

In  the  course  of  an  hour  the  chieftain  came  in  and 
told  him  the  news.  The  mountain  clans,  it  seemed, 
had  become  impatient  at  the  inaction  of  the  wary 
Angus,  who  would  not  move  from  his  strong  position 
in  the  fens  until  the  arrival  of  the  Duke  with  rein- 
forcements. It  was  near  their  planting  time,  and 
they  had  expected  a  quick,  sharp  campaign,  involv- 
ing plenty  of  plunder  with  which  to  return  to  their 
mountain  strongholds.  At  length  Lord  Sussex  him- 
self grew  uneasy,  fearing  that  his  prey  would  escape 
him,  and  leaving  his  fortified  camp,  fiercely  attacked 
Angus  in  the  fens,  where  the  royal  artillery  was  of 
no  use.  The  result  was  his  complete  repulse  with 
great  loss,  although  this  was  not  by  any  means  a 
rout,  and  Sussex  retreated  in  good  order  to  his  camp, 
still  too  strong  to  be  followed  by  Angus.  Meanwhile, 
news  had  come  of  the  ravaging  march  of  Pembroke 
through  the  mountains,  whose  defenders  were  absent 
with   the    insurgent    army,    and    Angus    despatched 


282  CENTURIES  APART. 

Ruval  Ben-Ardlac  with  his  clansmen  to  cut  off  and 
destroy  Pembroke,  which  he  had  done  with  such 
success,  thanks  to  Percy's  determined  stand  at 
Eagle's  Crag.  "  And,"  added  the  chieftain,  "  your 
friends  Warren  and  Pelham  be  at  our  camp  yet  with 
Angus,  being  refused  safe  passage  by  Sussex,  who 
saith  he  awaiteth  clearer  orders  from  his  King. 
Meanwhile  the  King  hath  marched  far  to  westward 
with  his  array,  and  ere  long  must  needs  fall  in  with 
the  Western  lords,  who  have  been  joined  by  the  Duke 
of  Egremond.  His  Grace  thought  meet  to  march  to 
their  aid,  rather  than  to  ours,  saying  that  we  could 
maintain  ourselves  in  the  fens  for  many  days  against 
Sussex,  but  that  the  West  sorely  needed  his  presence 
and  leading.  And  a  secret  message  from  the  Percy's 
friends  in  South  London  saith  that  the  General 
Vaughn  is  enraged  at  the  King's  treachery,  and  hath 
marched  with  half  his  small  army  northward,  to 
demand,  sword  in  hand,  that  you  and  the  other 
officers  and  the  troop  of  horse  shall  be  restored  to 
him  safe  and  scatheless.  Methinks  he  doth  a  hasty 
thing,  for  he  may  have  to  meet  the  whole  array  of 
Sussex.  Yet  Angus  would  then  fall  upon  the  Earl's 
rear,  and  a  pretty  battle  would  come  of  it,  to  our 
great  joy." 

"  And  I  here,  helpless  !  "  groaned  Percy,  gnashing 
his  teeth. 

"  Patience  yet  for  a  day  or  two,"  responded  the 
chief,  "  and  I  return  with  a  part  of  the  clan  to  the 
field,  and  with  your  good  company,  I  ween." 


PARTING.  283 

But  Ben-Ardlac  received  such  tidings  that  night 
that  he  was  obliged  to  march  on  the  following  day, 
and  Percy  was  entirely  unable  to  accompany  him. 
He  remained  in  this  condition  of  forced  inactivity 
for  three  days  more,  chafing  terribly,  but  still  gaining 
rapidly  his  strength.  At  last  an  event  occurred 
which  favored  his  starting  away  on  the  second  day 
after. 

This  was  the  arrival  at  Eagle's  Crag  of  a  party  of 
travellers.  It  consisted  of  the  Prior  of  the  Abbey  of 
Kentishwold,  a  man  of  great  ability  and  influence, 
much  trusted  by  the  King.  He  had  been  sent  a 
month  previously  on  an  embassy  to  the  great  barons 
of  the  North,  to  ascertain  their  condition  of  feeling 
and  to  try  to  break  up  their  confederacy  and  pre- 
vent an  outbreak.  He  was  so  much  respected  by 
the  nobility  of  the  realm,  beside  being  of  royal  blood 
himself  and  of  near  kin  to  the  King,  that  it  was  at 
first  likely  that  his  mission  would  be  successful.  In 
fact,  he  had  managed  to  detach  the  powerful  Earl  of 
North  Devon  from  the  disaffected  party.  But  in  the 
midst  of  his  work  he  had  been  stricken  down  by  a 
fe^er,  and  before  he  recovered,  the  insurrection  had 
broken  out.  He  was  now  returning  southward,  and 
such  was  the  respect  and  affection  for  his  character 
that  he  travelled  without  question  through  the  shires 
in  revolt,  lodging  as  a  welcome  guest  at  the  very 
castles  of  the  rebels,  and  treated  with  the  utmost 
consideration.  He  was  to  rest  for  a  day  at  Eagle's 
Crag,  and  then  to   proceed   directly  to  the  capital, 


284  CENTURIES  APART. 

passing  necessarily  near  the  positions  of  both  the 
armies  lying  watching  each  other  at  the  fens.  It 
was  Percy's  opportunity  to  travel  with  comparative 
safety,  and  the  Prior  expressed  himself  as  pleased  to 
have  his  company. 

The  ensuing  day  was  one  of  the  most  lovely  which 
Percy  had  ever  known.  He  had  been  up  and  about 
the  castle  and  grounds  for  two  days,  constantly  grow- 
ing stronger  ;  and  this  morning  he  sauntered  out  for 
a  walk  with  no  particular  care  as  to  its  direction. 
He  had  not  seen  Miss  Ben-Ardlac  since  the  painful 
interview  of  nearly  a  week  before. 

Wrapped  in  thought,  he  had  not  noted  much 
which  way  he  went,  when  he  all  at  once  found  him- 
self on  the  wood  road  leading  to  the  Swan  Maiden's 
Dell ;  and  as  he  approached  the  ravine  which  led  to 
this  locality,  he  determined  to  visit  it  once  more.  In 
descending  the  gentle  slope  he  observed  the  damage 
wrought  by  the  tornado,  and  finally  came  out  upon 
the  charming  spot.  Being  fatigued  and  heated  by 
his  walk  he  stepped  into  the  shrine,  and  sat  down 
on  a  rock  near  the  doorway  to  rest.  He  had  been 
there  but  a  moment  when,  to  his  great  surprise,  ^ie 
heard  a  female  voice  by  the  lake-side  warbling  a 
plaintive  air,  and  looking  out  he  saw  a  form  which 
he  instantly  recognized  as  that  of  Vivienne.  She 
was  dressed  entirely  in  black,  and  stood  leaning 
against  the  same  tree  that  she  had  rested  upon  the 
day  of  the  tornado,  distant  but  a  few  rods  from  him. 
She  had  evidently  not  observed  his  presence.     Her 


PARTING.  285 

attitude  was  most  graceful ;  her  heavy  hair  fell  loosely 
over  her  shoulders ;  her  face,  which  was  turned  partly 
away  from  him,  was  of  a  ghastly  pallor.  Her  song 
was  as  sweet  as  that  of  a  dying  swan.  There  were 
some  wild  swans  out  on  the  lake,  and  they  were,  as 
before,  slowly  approaching  her;  in  fact,  she  had 
been  in  the  habit  of  petting  and  feeding  them. 

Ever  and  anon  she  threw  her  voice  out  over  the 
water  practising  that  strange  ventriloquism  which 
had  so  startled  him  on  the  former  occasion ;  and 
even  now  it  was  hard  to  realize  that  a  response  to 
her  singing  did  not  come  from  the  birds  themselves, 
as  she  sang  some  verses  in  this  way.  All  at  once 
she  stopped,  and  putting  her  hands  over  her  face 
turned  directly  toward  the  young  man.  Fearful  of 
disturbing  her,  and  finding  himself  in  an  embarrassing 
position,  he  shrank  back  into  the  shrine. 

But  she  walked  directly  to  it  and  looked  in  full 
upon   him. 

"Pardon  me,  Miss  Vivienne,"  he  said  in  confusion, 
"  and  believe  me  I  did  not  know  —  " 

"  Do  not  speak,"  she  said.  "  Had  you  known  of 
my  presence  here,  you  had  not  come ;  and  I  am  most 
blythe  of  your  coming.  I  would  fain  discourse  with 
you  for  a  brief  space,  —  for  the  last  time  in  this 
world,"  she  added  in  a  choking  voice.  Then  she 
went  on  very  gently  and  sweetly,  extending  her 
hand, — 

"  I  pray  you  walk  with  me  to  the  tree  where  we 
stood  together  on  that  day."     He  took  her  hand  and 


286  CENTURIES  APART. 

they  walked  to  the  tree,  and  she  leaned  on  it  as  she 
had  done  before.  She  seemed  very  weary,  and  he 
was  shocked  to  see  how  haggard  was  her  beautiful 
face,  although  there  was  yet  a  very  peaceful  calm 
in  it. 

She  looked  at  him  and  spoke  very  frankly  and 
very  softly.  "  I  feel  no  shame  that  I  loved  thee, 
and  shall  love  while  life  lasts,  —  which  will  not  be 
long.  I  only  wonder  that  I  had  the  wild  hope  that 
such  as  thou  art  might  love  the  poor  mountain 
maiden,  the  daughter  of  a  proscribed  name  and  clan, 
the  more  so  that  thou  lovest  and  art  beloved  by  the 
peerless  Katherine  Percy." 

She  stopped  a  moment  and  looked  out  over  the 
water,  then   went  on. 

"  Since  the  last  day  when  I  saw  thee  I  have  been 
at  Ravensclyffe,  and  did  abide  a  day  with  her.  She 
is  far  more  beautiful  than  when  we  were  together  at 
the  convent.  Thou  couldst  but  have  loved  her,  for 
she  hath  as  much  sweetness  and  tenderness  as 
beauty. 

"  We  mingled  our  tears, —  she,  both  in  pity  for  me, 
and  for  it  might  well  be  she  ne'er  should  see  thee 
more ;  I,  that  I  must  ne'er  again  behold  thee.  It 
might  have  been  different  for  me  had — had  fate 
ordered  other  than  as  things  be ;  but  nathless  I, 
with  all  heart  and  soul,  wish  her  an  early  coming  of 
her  joy  in  thy  return.  I  shall  pray  before  the  Virgin, 
night  and  day,  for  you  both  ;  for,  Yuletide  past,  I 
take  the  veil  at  St.  Helen's  Cloisters.     At  my  desire 


PARTING.  287 

they  require  not  of  me  the  novitiate,  and  the  sooner 
I  leave  the  world  the  sooner  cometh  peace. 

"  Kate  writ  thee  a  letter,  and  I  brought  it  thee. 
Take   it." 

She  handed  him  a  quaintly  folded  and  sealed 
missive;   then  continued, — ■ 

"Now  is  this  our  eternal  farewell;  and  I  ask 
three  things  of  thee,  all  very  dear  to  my  heart. 

"  First,  take  this  poor  gift.  Keep  it  till  thy 
marriage  day,  then  clasp  it  on  the  arm  of  thy  bride. 
Twas  once  worn  by  the  Lady  Ida,  the  Swan  Maiden 
of  sorrowful  memory.  'T  is  a  precious  heirloom,  and 
that  I  prize  it  so  highly,  I  devote  it  as  a  little  token 
of  my  love  for  thee  and  for  her.  May  it  prove  an 
amulet." 

She  unclasped  the  strange  gold  armlet  with  the 
swan's  head  and  ruby  eyes,  and  gave  it  him.  Then 
she  went  on  :  — 

"  Next,  I  pray  kind  and  tender  remembrance  and 
prayers  whilst  thou  livest. 

"  Then  this,  my  last  wish."  She  took  both  his 
hands  in  her  own  and  looked,  with  a  faint  blush,  full 
in  his  face,  the  brown  tourmaline  eyes  beaming  with 
a  lustrous  softness  that  he  had  never  seen  in  them 
before,  yet  expressing  the  very  intensity  of  hopeless 
longing. 

"  I  gave  thee  that  last  day,  in  wild,  heartbroken 
love,  three  kisses.  Give  them  now  back  to  me  with 
tender  farewell.    And  this  will  be  all  betwixt  us  two." 

Percy  unfastened  a  gold   crucifix  which  he  wore, 


288  CENTURIES  APART. 

and  clasped  the  chain  about  her  neck.  "  My  mother 
had  it  always  on  her  heart.  She  hung  it  over  mine 
when  she  was  dying." 

The  girl's  face  expressed  delighted  surprise,  and 
she  kissed  it  fervently.  "  It  will  ne'er  again  leave 
my  bosom,"  she  murmured. 

He  took  her  in  his  arms  as  if  she  had  been  a  child. 
She  laid  her  head  wearily  against  his  heart,  gazing 
up  at  him.  Her  eyes,  indeed,  never  left  his.  To 
the  day  of  his  death  he  was  haunted  by  the  wistful 
despair  in  her  face.  His  own  eyes  were  half  blinded 
by  tears. 

He  kissed  her  as  she  had  wished,  saying,  "  Fare- 
well, Vivienne."  She  drew  herself  back  and  turned 
slowly  away,  still  looking  upon  him,  as  we  look  for 
the  last  time  upon  our  dead;  and  like  the  sigh  of  the 
summer  wind  came  the  words,  — 

"  Farewell,  Arthur." 

She  walked  away  to  the  shrine  and  knelt  before  the 
image  of  the  saint. 

Percy  looked  about  him.  The  Swan  Maiden's 
Dell  was  beautiful  in  the  morning  light.  Out  on 
the  isle-studded  lake  the  sunbeams  danced  on  the 
ripples  with  merriment  which  seemed  to  mock  his 
heavy  heart.  The  far  hills  were  brilliant  in  their 
fresh  verdure,  and  the  mountains  beyond  blue  in  the 
warm,  misty  atmosphere.  Close  in  shore,  within  the 
quiet  little  cove,  the  white  swans  were  watching  him 
curiously,  showing  no  fear,  —  their  reflection  in  the 
still  water  as  perfect  as  themselves. 


PARTING.  289 

He  glanced  up,  and  his  eyes  rested  upon  the 
clusters  of  St.  Helen's  in  the  dim  distance,  where 
Vivienne  would  soon  seek  refuge  and  peace.  Would 
she  find  the  peace?  «  God  grant  it !  "  he  thought,  as 
he  turned  and  walked  slowly  up  the  ravine. 


*9 


CHAPTER     XV. 

GRIM-VISAGED    WAR. 

What  soldier's  heart  thrills  not,  who  hears 
The  rattle  of  the  musketeers, 
The  flashing  scabbards'  steely  clank, 
The  guns'  deep  boom  on  either  flank, 
And  'neath  the  standard  blue,  the  cheers 
That  fire  the  horsemen's  charging  rank  ? 

Old  Song. 

PERCY  made  his  farewell  and  acknowledgments  to 
the  Lady  Dacre  that  night,  and  the  next  morning, 
very  early,  the  little  cavalcade  left  the  Eagle's  Crag. 
Just  as  it  turned  to  enter  the  rocky  defile  which  led 
down  the  descent,  he  looked  back. 

On  a  turret  partly  concealed  by  the  battlements  a 
slight  form,  robed  in  black,  was  standing.  He  took 
off  his  cap.  Vivienne  waved  a  mantle.  Then  the 
rocks  shut  him  out  from  her  sight. 

The  party  with  whom  he  travelled  consisted  of  the 
Prior,  who  was  a  dark,  handsome,  and  very  austere 
man,  who  seldom  spoke,  half-a-dozen  ecclesiastics  in 
waiting  upon  him,  and  as  many  lay  brothers.  There 
were  two  led  sumpter  horses. 

The  road,  which  was  rough  and  rocky,  soon  left 
the  lake  and  struck  off  across  the  mountains.  They 
passed  within  a  mile   of  St.  Helen's,  a  gloomy  pile 


GRIM-  VIS  AGED    11  \  1  A'. 


291 


of  irregular  buildings  surrounded  by  a  high  wall. 
The  Prior  said  not  a  word  all  the  morning,  and 
Percy  was  too  much  occupied  by  his  own  reflections 
to  regret  the  priest's  taciturnity.  About  two  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon  they  reached  a  little  mountain 
meadow,  on  a  stream  which  fell  from  the  rocks 
above  in  a  picturesque  cascade,  the  water  of  which 
was  as  clear  as  crystal. 

"  Here  we  will  tarry  a  space,"  remarked  the  Prior, 
"where  man  and  horse  may  eat,  that  they  live.  Will 
it  please  you  and  yours  to  break  bread  with  us?" 

"  I  thank  you,  reverend  sir,"  replied  Percy;  "but 
you  will  allow  us  to  contribute  of  our  modest  stores, 
for  I  am  well  aware  that  travellers  carry  nothing 
superfluous." 

"  An  it  please  you,"  replied  the  priest,  smiling 
slightly;  "but  we  travel  not  too  lightly  furnished. 
Travellers  must  needs  keep  strength  in  their  bones." 
And  indeed,  from  the  variety  and  quantity  of  the 
rations  spread  before  them  as  they  reclined  upon  the 
turf,  it  seemed  that  the  good  Prior  did  not  propose 
to  hunger  nor  thirst  upon  his  journey.  After  he  had 
pronounced  a  short  and  manly  grace,  he  showed  him- 
self a  stout  trencherman,  and  the  others  were  not  far 
behind  him,  as  the  long  ride  in  the  mountain  air  was 
productive  of  keen  appetites.  After  the  meal,  the 
Prior  having  duly  given  thanks,  Percy  produced 
cigars,  and  offered  one  to  the  clergyman,  explaining 
the  nature  of  the  luxury.  The  churchman  cour- 
teously declined  it,    but   burst  into   a   hearty   laugh, 


292  CENTURIES  APART. 

the  only  one  in  which  he  indulged  during  the 
journey. 

"  I  cry  you  pardon,"  he  said,  "  but  I  have  heard 
of  the  terror  of  those  things  which  beset  our  beloved 
Cardinal  when  he  first  beheld  them  on  board  your 
ship.  I  marvel  not  at  it,  for  surely  the  things  be 
strange  enow  to  us.  Nathless,  the  smoke  smacketh 
verily  of  incense,"  he  added,  as  the  wreaths  curled 
around  in  the  air.  "  But  't  is  meet  our  beasts  be 
saddled.  We  have  yet  long  miles  to  go  ere  we 
reach  the  village  of  Hardinge,  where  't  were  well  we 
pass  the  night." 

They  accordingly  set  out  again,  and  the  Prior 
became  as  taciturn  as  before.  Late  in  the  evening 
they  were  descending  the  further  slope  of  the  pass, 
and  two  hours  afterward  reached,  after  issuing  from 
a  wood,  the  site  of  a  village  or  small  town.  But  as 
they  entered  it  they  came  upon  sights  which  struck 
a  chill  to  their  marrow.  Burned  cottages,  dead 
cattle  lying  about,  and  scattered  here  and  there  the 
corpses  of  men,  women,  and  children,  in  all  states  of 
mutilation. 

"What  means  this?"  asked  Percy,  aghast,  of  his 
companion,  as  they  stopped,  awe-stricken. 

"  It  meaneth  a  raid  and  a  massacre,"  cried  the 
Prior,  with  a  blanched  but  stern  countenance.  "  It 
is  war,  which,  please  Heaven,"  he  added,  looking  up 
and  crossing  himself,  "  I  have  done  my  poor  best  to 
turn  from  this  land." 

"  Ha !  "  he  exclaimed,  looking  down  at  the  bodies 


GRIM-VISAGED    WAR.  293 

of  two  men-at-arms,  "this  be  some  of  the  work  of 
that  villain  Pembroke.  There  be  two  of  his  retainers. 
See  you  that  cognizance?  'T  is  his.  There  hath 
been  fighting  as  well  as  murder  here." 

"Thank  Heaven,"  ejaculated  Percy,  "the  scoun- 
drel has  ridden  his  last  foray  !  " 

"  Ay,  and  thanks  to  you,  young  man,  who  had  so 
gallant  a  hand  in  his  overthrow.  But  let  us  ride  on. 
There  is  the  monastery  of  Merrow  five  miles  beyond, 
where  we  may  lodge  without  such  ghastly  company. 
This  were  a  charnel  house  in  which  to  rest." 

After  another  hour  they  reached  the  monastery, 
where  they  found  kind  welcome,  and  were  enter- 
tained until  morning.  The  monks  had  heard  of  the 
destruction  and  massacre  at  Hardinge,  and  were 
going  on  the  following  day  to  give  the  dead  Chris- 
tian burial. 

Earl)'  the  next  morning  they  started  on  their  way 
again,  after  friendly  adieux  and  thanks  (to  which 
Percy  added  something  more  substantial)  to  the 
hospitable  monks  of  Merrow,  and  at  nightfall  reached 
the  fens  of  the  White  Forest,  where  they  came  to  the 
fortified  camp  of  the  Earl  of  Angus.  Here  Percy 
found  his  friends,  Bruce,  Warren,  Pelham,  and  tin- 
cavalry  troop,  who  had  been  refused  safe  conduct 
and  passage  further  by  the  Earl  of  Sussex.  This 
Earl  was  said  to  have  been  joined  by  North  Devon 
and  other  lords  with  considerable  bands  ;  and  here 
also  he  learned  for  certainty  that  General  Vaughn, 
angered  by  his  treatment  by  the  King,  had  indei  d 


294  CENTURIES  APART. 

marched  out  of  his  camp  with  some  fifteen  hundred 
men  and  a  strong  force  of  artillery,  and  was  now  well 
posted  some  three  miles  in  rear  of  Sussex,  with  whom 
he  had  been  for  two  days  negotiating  in  regard  to 
safe  conduct  for  Pelham's  detachment  and  the  officers 
with  him.  Moreover,  there  was  communication,  in  a 
roundabout  way,  between  Vaughn  and  Angus;  and 
at  midnight  there  arrived  a  staff  officer  from  the 
General  with  a  despatch  for  Warren,  which  ran 
thus : — 

You  will  inform  the  Earl  of  Angus  that  I  get  no  satis- 
faction from  Sussex  as  to  a  safe  passage  for  your  party,  and 
have  this  evening  intercepted  a  messenger  from  the  King 
to  his  Lordship,  the  purport  of  whose  orders  to  Sussex  is 
that  he  attack  us  in  force,  and  extirpate  every  American. 
I  am  fully  persuaded  that  we  must  fight,  and  will  conse- 
quently act  with  Lord  Angus  most  heartily.  General  Levin 
has  just  joined  me  with  three  hundred  and  fifty  infantry, 
Hamilton's  and  Morton's  cavalry,  and  Parkman's  battery. 
This  gives  us  some  nineteen  hundred  infantry,  nearly  four 
hundred  cavalry,  and  eighteen  guns.  I  will  move  out  of 
this  position  at  sunrise,  and  shell  the  enemy  out  of  his 
camp.  If  Angus  will  move  with  all  his  force  to  the  attack 
at  dawn,  and  assault  furiously,  I  think  all  will  go  well.  I 
have  fully  reconnoitred  the  ground,  and  there  is  plenty  of 
opportunity  for  the  artillery  to  act  freely,  and  yet  be  well 
supported.  Tell  Angus  that  I  have  learned  how  and  where 
Sussex  has  his  guns  in  battery,  and  my  chief  of  artillery 
engages  to  dismount  and  disable  them,  so  that  by  the  time 
of  his  (Angus's)  attack  there  shall  not  be  one  which  can  be 
fought. 

See  that  Pelham  does  not  attempt  to  charge  their  heavy 


GRIM-VISAGED    WAR.  295 

cavalry  with  the  sabre.     'T  is  of  no  use.     Keep  aloof  and 
use  carbine  and  pistol. 

Has  Percy  rejoined  you?  Lieutenant  Maywood  will 
remain  with  you.  Request  Lord  Angus  to  return  an  imme- 
diate reply,  and  by  several  messengers,  in  case  one  or  more 
are  taken  or  killed. 

Vaughn, 

Major-  General  ConCdg. 
A.  C.  Oldham, 

Capt.  &  A.  A.  G. 

Captain  Warren,  accompanied  by  Percy,  went  in- 
stantly to  the  quarters  of  the  Earl  of  Angus,  where 
they  found  the  barons  assembled,  debating  the  feasi- 
bility of  an  attack  upon  Sussex;  for  the  mountain 
clans  could  be  held  no  longer,  and  their  departure 
would  render  offensive  operations  utterly  impossible. 
The  condition  of  affairs  was  beginning  to  look  seri- 
ous ;  for  while  Sussex,  even  strengthened  as  he  was 
by  the  arrival  of  several  barons  with  their  following, 
could  not  attack  them  in  their  position  with  any  pros- 
pect of  success,  provisions  were  already  scarce,  and 
in  the  event  of  the  defeat  of  Egremond  by  tke  King, 
the  latter's  army  could  easily  cross  the  mountains, 
now  undefended,  and  cut  off  the  retreat  of  Angus 
from  the  White  Forest. 

The  American  officers  were  courteously  welcomed 
to  the  council  of  war.  "  I  know  not,"  said  the  Earl 
of  Angus,  smiling,  "but  that  my  Lord  of  Sussex  may 
have  done  us  great  service  in  so  churlishly  refusing 
our  friends  passage  to  their  camp,  for  I  hear  to-night 


296  CENTURIES  APART. 

that  the  General  Vaughn  hath  sent  for  and  received 
a  reinforcement.  That  looketh  as  if  he  thought  there 
must  e'en  be  war." 

"  Indeed,  my  Lord,  he  has  so  decided,"  said 
Warren.  But  he  was  interrupted  by  the  exultant 
shouts  of  the  barons,  who  crowded  around  the 
Americans.  —  "I  have  orders,  my  Lord,  from  the 
General,  with  most  important  matters  to  be  com- 
municated to  your  Lordship ;  "  and  he  read  the 
despatch.  It  was  received  with  the  wildest  demon- 
strations of  delight.  When  these  had  subsided, 
Angus  said :  "  My  Lords,  our  gallant  ally  hath  set 
us  our  measure.  Now  to  make  ready  for  the  dance." 
He  then  proceeded  to  assign  the  various  leaders  to 
their  posts,  and  gave  his  orders  for  battle.  "  And 
now,"  he  said,  turning  to  Warren,  "  how  will  it  please 
you  to  engage,  Captain  Warren?" 

"  I  beg  pardon,  my  Lord,"  replied  Warren,  "  but 
since  Captain  Percy  has  arrived,  he  is  in  command 
of  our  small  force." 

"  I  think,  my  Lord,"  said  Percy,  "  that  as  we  do 
not  wear  armor,  we  had  best  not  engage  at  close 
quarters  with  heavy  cavalry,  but  rather  take  position 
during  the  action,  from  time  to  time,  where  our  fire 
can  be  most  effective ;  and  I  would  suggest,  by  your 
leave,  that  your  troops  should  be  told  that  if  they  see 
us  withdrawing  from  any  part  of  the  field  before  the 
enemy's  men-at-arms,  they  must  not  believe  us  flying, 
but  seeking  other  places  where  we  can  best  fight." 

"  'T  is  well  thought   of,  sir,"   replied    Angus,  as  if 


GRIM-VISAGED    WAR.  297 

struck  by  the  consideration.  "  You  could  ne'er 
withstand  a  charge  of  mailed  knights,  in  your  garb, 
and  but  a  handful  of  you.  But  after  what  we  hear 
of  Captain  Percy's  prowess  at  Lord  Dacre's  castle  of 
Eagle's  Crag,  and  his  overcoming  and  slaying  the 
brute  of  Pembroke,  we  can  trust  him  to  order  his 
battle  as  it  pleaseth  him,  I  ween,  and  blythe  shall  be 
the  outcome." 

"  Then,  my  Lord,  if  you  authorize  me  to  act  inde- 
pendently, I  shall  take  my  men  out  in  front  before 
the  general  action  has  begun,  and  show  you  what  our 
skirmishing  is,  and  how  we  open  a  battle,  —  retiring 
to  give  place  to  your  heavy  troops  as  you  advance, 
and  seeking  new  opportunities  to  make  the  most  of 
our  fire,  which  will  probably  surprise  and  annoy  the 
enemy  very  much." 

"  'T  is  well,"  replied  the  Earl ;  "  and  now,  my  Lords, 
let  us  pledge  our  noble  friends  in  a  cup  of  wine,  and 
then,  after  an  hour's  rest,  let  every  baron  array  his 
vassals.  I  marshal  the  host  at  dawn,  after  marching 
out  upon  the  moor." 

The  company  then  separated.  The  Americans 
went  to  Warren's  quarters  in  a  hut  of  pine  boughs, 
and  lay  down  for  what  rest  they  could  snatch. 

It  seemed  to  Percy  that  he  had  but  closed  his  eyes 
when  the  trumpets  screamed  the  reveille.  He  found 
the  squadron  already  drawn  up  on  its  parade, 
accompanied  by  all  the  American  staff  officers. 
Dr.  Bruce  had  his  hunting- rifle  with  him.  and 
proposed  to  take  part  in  the  fight,  sincerely  hoping 


298  CENTURIES  APART. 

that  he  might  not  be  obliged  to  practise  his  profes- 
sion that  day. 

The  camp  was  all  astir,  the  barons  leading  their 
vassals  out  to  the  plain,  where  they  were  to  be 
marshalled  by  the  Earl  of  Angus.  The  artillery 
was  being  hauled  out  to  the  moor.  Suddenly  a  gun 
boomed  some  three  miles  away.  Then  another  and 
another,  and  soon  a  furious  cannonade  began.  The 
fight  was  on !  The  American  artillery  was  plainly 
engaged. 

Percy  harangued  his  men,  telling  them  of  the 
victory  at  Eagle's  Crag,  so  fully  contributed  to  by 
the  three  Americans  engaged,  and  explained  what 
he  expected  of  the  troopers,  and  that  they  must 
uphold  the  honor  of  the  American  army  on  this 
side.  He  was  answered  by  three  thundering  cheers. 
They  then  marched  out  by  fours  to  the  moor,  being 
wildly  cheered  by  the  South  English  as  they  passed. 

The  moor  sloped  downward  for  a  short  distance, 
then  came  a  gradual  rise  for  about  a  mile ;  then 
thick  woods  where  the  enemy  lay.  The  left  was 
protected  by  a  deep  and  wide  river ;  the  right  by 
morasses  extending  into  and  beyond  the  enemy's  left 
flank. 

Pelham  deployed  his  men  as  skirmishers,  and  they 
moved  out  at  a  trot,  swiftly  approaching  the  wood. 
They  could  already  see  the  American  shells  bursting 
in  the  air  above  the  trees.  Very  soon  a  large 
number  of  stragglers  ran  out  into  the  open,  in  a 
moment  more  followed  by  a  mass  of  men  in  great 


GRIM-VISAGED   WAR.  299 

disorder,  with  knights  in  flashing  armor  riding  hither 
and  thither,  evidently  trying  to  restore  discipline. 
As  they  drew  nearer,  they  could  see  that  these 
troops  were  arquebusiers,  archers,  and  pikemen. 
The  enemy  now  for  the  first  time,  apparently, 
noticed  the  thin  line  of  skirmishers  approaching, 
and  it  was  seen  that  they  were  being  marshalled 
in  battle  order,  which  appeared  to  be  a  formation 
in  lines  of  columns.  Meanwhile  the  American  can- 
nonade increased  in  intensity,  and  sounded  like  an 
incessant  roar.  Percy  was  now  within  three  hundred 
yards,  and  he  ordered  Pelham  to  dismount  and  com- 
mence the  fire,  which  was  done.  The  officers  took 
great  pains  to  have  it  careful  and  deliberate,  and  it 
was  plain  to  see  that  it  was  very  effective.  The 
arquebusiers  opened  fire  themselves,  but  with  no 
effect  whatever,  as  their  bullets  nearly  all  fell  short. 
A  few  went  over,  but  neither  man  nor  horse  was  hit. 
It  was  soon  observed  that  they  were  very  much 
shaken,  even  by  this  skirmish  fire  of  a  single  com- 
pany, and  in  about  fifteen  minutes  their  fire  ceased 
and  the  arquebusiers  retreated  pell-mell  into  the 
wood.  Those  on  their  left,  however,  held  their 
ground  and  began  to  advance.  The  Americans  had 
been  moving  forward  slowly  all  the  while,  and  now 
were  within  less  than  three  hundred  yards  of  the 
wood.  Percy  looked  back  and  saw  the  whole  of 
Angus's  army  approaching.  Having  cleared  the 
field  in  his  front,  he  ordered  the  troopers  to  mount, 
and  rode  away  to  the  right  to  open  fire  on  the  body 


300  CENTURIES  APART. 

of  the  enemy,  which  had  marched  out  of  the  wood 
and  was  advancing  to  meet  Angus's  right  wing.  All 
at  once  a  column  of  knights  and  men-at-arms  issued 
from  the  cover,  and  galloped  straight  for  the  little 
American  squadron. 

"  Wheel  into  line,  Pelham,  and  give  them  a  vol- 
ley!  "  shouted  Percy.  They  waited  until  the  enemy 
were  within  point-blank  range. 

"  Aim  low,  men  !  aim  low  !  Ready  !  aim  !  fire  !  " 
cried  Pelham.  The  crash  of  the  volley  snuffed  out, 
for  the  instant,  the  roar  of  the  cannon,  and  the  head 
of  the  column  fairly  melted  away.  The  survivors 
were  thrown  into  utter  confusion.  The  thunder  of 
hoofs  behind  and  on  his  flank  called  Percy's  atten- 
tion, and  a  body  of  men-at-arms,  led  by  a  knight, 
whom  Warren  recognized  as  the  young  Lord  Howard 
of  Lee,  dashed  by  with  levelled  lances  and  waving 
pennon,  shouting  their  battle-cry.  They  rode  against 
the  staggering  column  of  the  enemy  and  bore  them 
down  by  dozens,  a  few  only  escaping  in  wild  flight 
toward  the  wood. 

Then  Percy  galloped  off  to  the  extreme  right,  and 
deployed  to  the  front  again  before  the  now  rapidly 
advancing  right  wing,  which  was  commanded  by 
Lord  Reginald  Percy.  The  Americans  rode  to 
within  two  hundred  yards  of  the  arquebusiers  and 
archers,  and  dismounting  again,  opened  fire,  doing 
great  execution.  But  the  enemy  halted  and  fired  a 
volley,  while  the  archers  began  to  shoot  rapidly;  and 
while,  fortunately,  not  a  man  fell,  yet  three  horses 


GRIM-VISAGED    WAR.  301 

were  killed  and  several  more  wounded.     As  the  right 
wing  was  now  close  up,  Percy  rallied  and   mounted 
the  squadron  (those  whose  horses  were  killed  jump- 
ing up  behind  others)  and   moved  yet  further  to  the 
right,   so   as  to    uncover    Lord    Percy's   front.      The 
Americans  now  were  on  the  edge  of  the  morass,  and 
they    dismounted,    tied    their    horses    to    trees,    and 
began   a  vigorous   oblique   fire   at  the   archers,'  who 
were  on  the  enemy's  extreme  left.     It  soon  became 
too  hot  for  these    archers,  who    fled    into  the  wood 
again,   and   the    American    fire    ceased   as   the    right 
wing  came  up   parallel   with  them.     It   consisted  of 
the  Ben-Ardlacs  on  the  flank,  and   next  on  their  left 
was  another  mountain  clan.     Just  as  the  Americans 
ceased  firing,  a  wild  shout  burst  from  the  mountain- 
eers,   who    rushed    forward    with    trailed    spears    to 
charge   the    arquebusiers.       They  received    a   volley 
at  close  quarters,  and  quite  a  number  fell;    but  they 
only  increased  their  pace,  and  a  moment    later  fell 
fiercely  on  the  enemy,  whose  pikemen,  mingled  with 
the  arquebusiers,  received  them  with  levelled  weapons. 
For  a  few  moments  there  was  savage  fighting;    but 
the  onset  of  the  mountain   men  was  scarce  checked, 
and  they  soon  were  seen  driving  the  disordered  ranks 
of  the  foe  toward  their  cover.     Very  soon  the  Ben- 
Ardlacs  were  seen   to  halt,  and   then  to  form  a  close 
and    thick   line   four   and   five   deep,   the   front   rank 
kneeling,  and  all  who  bore  spears  in  the  front  ranks. 

The  reason  for  this  was  soon  perceived.     A  body 
of  heavy  cavalry  was  seen  coming  on  swiftly,  riding 


302  CENTURIES  APART. 

down  their  unfortunate  flying  infantry  without  mercy, 
and  driving  straight  at  the  mountaineers.  A  few  of 
the  best  shots  among  the  Americans  opened  fire, 
emptying  a  number  of  saddles  as  they  advanced,  but 
having  no  effect  in  preventing  their  charge.  They 
rushed  at  the  Ben-Ardlacs'  line,  and  Percy  expected 
to  see  it  annihilated;  but  to  his  great  surprise  a 
large  number  of  the  horses  plunged  onto  the  spears 
and  rolled  with  their  riders  in  the  dust,  thus  throwing 
their  whole  column  into  disorder.  But  the  clans- 
men's battle-order  was  also  broken,  and  before  they 
could  have  extricated  themselves  to  form  another 
living  bulwark,  the  cavalry  had  so  far  recovered  their 
array  as  to  have  ridden  down  the  disordered  moun- 
taineers, had  not  Lord  Reginald  Percy  at  the  head 
of  his  chivalry  fiercely  charged  the  enemy  in  flank, 
overthrowing  or  forcing  them  toward  the  morass 
where  the  Americans  were  posted.  These  now 
opened  a  brisk  fire,  which  completed  the  enemy's 
discomfiture.  A  score  of  horses  without  riders 
dashed  into  the  morass,  and  these  were  seized  by 
the  American  troopers  in  numbers  sufficient  to 
mount  those  whose  horses  had  been  killed  or 
wounded. 

The  whole  right  wing  was  now  in  rapid  motion 
toward  the  enemy's  fortified  position  in  the  forest, 
the  various  bodies  of  royal  troops,  horse  and  foot, 
which  had  met  with  such  signal  repulses  in  their 
counter-attacks  upon  this  wing,  having  retired  within 
their  works    again.     But  on  the   left  the  battle  was 


GRIM-VISAGED    WAR.  303 

still  stubbornly  contested  in  the  open  ground,  and  it 
was  not  until  Lord  Percy  rode  over  with  his  North- 
umbrian vassals  to  the  rescue  of  the  centre  and  left 
wing,  that  the  enemy  was  compelled  to  fall  back  in 
that  part  of  the  field. 

Meanwhile  the  mountain  clans  on  the  right  were 
having  a  hard  time  of  it  in  their  assault  on  the 
enemy's  position  in  the  woods;  and  Captain  Percy 
determined  to  try  to  get  round  their  flank  through 
the  morass  with  his  men  dismounted.  Accordingly 
they  advanced  through  the  marshy  woods,  meeting 
with  no  one,  until  suddenly  from  some  high  ground 
to  their  left  front  there  came  a  whizzing  flight  of 
arrows,  and  half-a-dozen  men  went  down.  Percy  had 
an  arrow  through  his  jacket,  and  Pelham,  less  fortu- 
nate, was  severely  wounded  in  the  shoulder. 

"Take  cover,  men,  and  commence  firing,"  shouted 
Percy,  not  an  instant  too  soon,  for  the  air  was  filled 
with  arrows,  and  soon  a  body  of  archers  advanced 
among  the  trees,  drawing  their  long-bows  to  their 
ears,  and  shooting  rapidly.  They  were  led  and 
directed  by  a  knight  in  armor,  who,  however,  had 
very  nearly  reached  the  end  of  his  earthly  pilgrimage ; 
for,  in  response  to  a  sharp  summons  from  Warren's 
rifle,  he  leaped  wildly  in  the  air  and  fell  heavily  on 
the  forest  grass.  The  range  was  only  fifty  yards,  and 
the  archers  dropped  so  fast  before  the  American  fire 
that  they  soon  broke  and  fled  ;  but  not  until  they  had 
amply  avenged  the  death  of  their  leader,  for  not  only 
did  a  sergeant  and  two  more  brave  men  fall  dead  in 


304  CENTURIES  APART. 

the  hail-storm  of  arrows,  but  the  young  Lieutenant 
Russell,  a  gallant  boy  of  nineteen,  received  a  shaft  in 
his  heart. 

The  foe  was  pursued  by  the  Yankees  into  the 
thicker  woods  and  toward  the  sound  of  the  combat. 
And  now  could  be  heard,  at  the  further  side  of  the 
forest,  the  incessant  rattle  of  musketry,  as  well  as  the 
roar  of  the  American  guns.  The  principal  action 
was  evidently  between  the  armies  of  Sussex  and 
Vaughn. 

Nothing  more  opposed  Percy  and  his  men,  and 
suddenly,  to  their  surprise,  they  found  they  were  on 
the  inner  side  of  a  line  of  strong  breastworks,  which 
had  been  deserted  by  the  defenders  at  this  point. 
Pushing  on,  they  soon  came  upon  the  flank  of  the 
enemy,  which  there  consisted  of  arquebusiers  and 
archers,  with  some  few  mailed  knights  and  men-at- 
arms,  who,  fighting  furiously  with  the  right  of  the 
mountaineers  as  they  pressed  to  the  attack,  did  not 
observe  the  stealthy  approach  of  the  Americans. 
These  now  opened  a  destructive  flank  fire  upon  the 
enemy,  who,  panic-stricken,  broke  and  fled  in  wild 
disorder,  followed  by  the  clansmen,  who  cut  them 
down  pitilessly. 

Percy  now  formed  his  men  on  the  right  of  the  Ben- 
Ardlacs,  and  the  line  immediately  advanced;  for  the 
panic  had  become  general,  and  the  troops  of  Angus 
soon  carried  the  whole  extent  of  the  defences,  the 
enemy  flying  in  complete  rout.  They  pushed  forward 
steadily  and  in  good  order  through  the  open  wood. 


GRIM-VISAGED    WAR.  305 

Everywhere  were  traces  of  the  results  of  the  shell- 
ing in  the  early  morning.  Bodies  of  men  and  horses 
lay  thickly  about,  a  number  of  their  clumsy  cannon 
abandoned,  and  everything  betokened  the  utter  con- 
fusion and  destruction  which  was  due  to  the  artillery 
fire  of  Vaughn. 

At  last  the  open  ground  was  seen  in  front,  but  no 
enemy,  although  the  sound  of  the  battle  became 
more  and  more  deafening.  As  they  reached  the 
confines  of  the  forest  the  Earl  of  Angus  rode  to  the 
right,  and  the  whole  line  halted. 

"  Captain  Percy,"  said  the  Earl,  "  methinks  't  were 
good  soldiery  if  thou  shouldst  mount  thy  men  and 
ride  round  the  right  of  the  foe  on  the  moor  yonder, 
that  you  reach  General  Vaughn,  and  with  my 
honored  duty  to  the  General,  say  that  we  drive  the 
array  of  Sussex  before  us  on  the  rear  of  his  troops 
yet  fighting;  and  that  the  General's  cannoneers  have 
a  care  not  to  shoot  at  us  as  we  charge  the  Earl's  rear. 
What  sayest  thou  ?  " 

"  Excellent,  my  Lord,"  replied  Percy.  "  I  will  take 
my  men  back  to  their  horses,  and  be  here  again  in  a 
few  moments." 

This  was  accomplished,  and  then  the  Earl,  Lord 
Reginald,  and  Percy  with  his  troopers,  rode  forward 
out  of  the  wood,  when  the  scene  was  revealed  on 
the  plain  below.  The  force  defeated  by  Angus  was 
retreating  in  great  disorder,  making  for  the  ford  at 
the  river  on  the  left.  Sussex's  troops,  fighting  the 
Americans,  reached  almost  from  the  morass  on  the 

20 


306  CENTURIES  APART. 

extreme  right  entirely  round  the  right  of  Vaughn's 
little  force,  completely  outflanking  it,  and  it  was  clear 
that  the  Americans,  vastly  outnumbered,  were  slowly 
giving  ground,  and  endeavoring  to  protect  their  right 
flank.  They  were  in  the  form  of  a  crescent,  the 
points  of  which  were  covered  by  their  artillery, 
which  was  firing  canister,  and  the  cavalry,  which 
now  and  then  charged  forward,  not  coming  to  close 
quarters  however,  but  using  their  carbines  and 
pistols. 

A  body  of  South  English  mounted  archers  were 
galloping  toward  the  morass,  evidently  intending  to 
ride  round  the  right  of  Sussex's  first  line  and  attack 
the  American  left,  which  was  close  to  the  morass. 

Percy  led  his  little  squadron  down  the  slope  at  a 
gallop,  and  advancing  unseen  by  the  enemy  through 
a  growth  of  young  trees,  came  suddenly  upon  this 
body  of  archers  at  point-blank  range.  He  halted 
immediately  and  ordered  a  volley  fired  at  them. 
Then,  drawing  sabres,  the  Americans  rushed  to  the 
charge.  The  enemy  was  completely  confounded  at 
this  attack.  Many  of  them  fell  from  their  saddles, 
and  the  rest,  who  seemed  to  think  their  foe  dropped 
from  the  skies,  fled  pell-mell  upon  the  rear  of  their 
first  line,  quite  demoralizing  it.  Then  Percy  rode  at 
a  gallop  along  the  rear  of  the  enemy's  right,  march- 
ing by  file  so  as  to  allow  free  use  of  the  revolver 
by  every  man.  A  continuous  fire  was  kept  up  all 
through  the  ride,  with  great  execution,  and  still 
more  valuable  moral   effect.      In  a  few  minutes  the 


• 


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mr* 


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rh-r 


n 


GRIM-VISAGED     WAK.  —  Page  306. 


GRIM-VISAGED    WAR.  307 

Americans  had  passed  the  huddled  and  irresolute 
right  flank  of  the  enemy,  thus  caught  between  two 
fires,  and  deflecting  toward  the  morass  in  order  to 
escape  the  shot  of  their  own  artillery  in  front,  soon 
reached  the  American  line,  where  roaring  cheers 
welcomed  them. 

Percy  halted  his  little  troop  in  rear  of  the  guns, 
and  started  to  find  General  Vaughn,  whose  head- 
quarters flag  he  saw  on  a  hillock  in  rear  of  the 
centre. 

The  General  was  sitting  grimly  on  his  black  horse, 
biting  away  at  a  cigar,  and  looked  up  at  Percy  as  if 
he  had  never  been  away. 

"  Well?  "  said  he,  sharply.  "  I  saw  your  manoeuvre 
in  getting  round  their  flank  from  the  hill  yonder. 
What  news  from  there?" 

"  We  have  beaten  and  driven  them  from  the  field, 
General.  Will  you  order  each  commander  on  the 
line  not  to  fire  on  Lord  Angus's  forces,  which  will  at 
once  move  down  to  attack  the  enemy  in  rear?" 

"Yes;  there  they  come  now.  Oldham,  send  to 
each  brigadier  and  the  batteries,  and  say  that  the 
Earl's  army  is  now  moving  down  the  hill  to  attack 
the  enemy's  rear.  Let  them  stand  firm  and  cease 
firing,  and  be  ready  with  the  bayonet.  Percy,  say  to 
Colonel  Hawks  that  he  will  move  round  our  rear  to 
the  right  and  join  Morton. — The  enemy  will  retreat 
toward  the  river  and  try  to  reach  the  ford,"  he 
muttered  to  himself.     Then,  — 

"  Here,    Warren !     have    two    squadrons    deployed 


308  CENTURIES  APART. 

on  the  left  before  that  morass  to  stop  those  rascals 
from  getting  away  there!  " 

By  this  time  the  yell  of  Angus's  army,  coming  at 
a  run,  for  the  first  time  admonished  the  enemy  what 
was  upon  them.  At  the  same  time  the  whole  Ameri- 
can line  rushed  forward  with  a  cheer.  For  a  few 
minutes  the  hand-to-hand  fighting  was  savage  and 
furious;  but  it  could  not  last,  and  the  enemy's  entire 
right  wing  was  captured  or  destroyed.  Their  centre 
and  left  fought  fiercely  for  a  time,  but  finally  fled 
toward  the  river,  followed  closely  and  cut  down 
mercilessly  by  both  the  American  cavalry  and  the 
chivalry  of  Angus.  The  Earl  pressed  the  pursuit 
most  vigorously,  and  although  the  battle  itself  had 
not  lasted  above  three  hours,  yet  the  chase  was  kept 
up  until  night  by  the  insurgent  lords.  The  American 
cavalry  was  recalled  after  reaching  the  river,  as  their 
battle  was  but  a  defensive  one,  and  General  Vaughn 
did  not  wish  to  participate  in  the  slaughter  of  the 
royal  army  which  now  set  in. 

The  enemy's  loss  was  very  heavy,  the  shelling  of 
their  position  in  the  forest,  in  the  early  morning, 
having  been  terribly  destructive.  Among  those 
slain  by  the  bombardment  were  the  Earl  of  Sussex 
himself,  the  Earl  of  North  Devon,  and  a  score  of 
lesser  barons ;  and  about  two  thousand  men,  knights, 
men-at-arms,  archers,  and  arquebusiers,  fell  in  the 
shelling.  All  their  cannon  but  one  were  dismounted, 
and  the  cannoneers  killed  or  put  to  flight. 

Sussex  and  his  lieutenants  were  in  consultation  in 


GRIM-VISAGED    WAR.  309 

the  edge  of  the  woods  when  the  firing  began,  and 
were  plainly  visible  to  the  American  artillerists. 
Several  guns  were  trained  on  the  party,  and  half-a- 
dozen  shells  burst  among  them.     Not  one  escaped. 

The  death  of  Lord  Sussex  was,  doubtless,  the 
cause  of  the  royal  army  having  been  so  badly 
handled.  He  was  a  good  soldier,  and  great  confi- 
dence was  placed  in  him  by  his  King.  His  army 
seemed  demoralized  after  his  death,  and  fought 
well  only  on  the  open  plain,  in  front  of  the  Ameri- 
cans, whom  they  greatly  outnumbered,  and,  in  fact, 
might  eventually  have  overwhelmed,  but  for  their 
rear  being  attacked  by  Angus,  after  he  had  defeated 
the  portion  of  the  royal  army  opposed  to  him.  The 
fire  of  the  American  infantry  had  been  very  destruc- 
tive to  their  heavy  cavalry,  which,  composed  of  the 
most  distinguished  barons  and  knights  and  their 
vassals,  made  it  a  point  of  honor  to  attack  the 
American  brigades  through  the  hottest  fire.  But 
they  were  mowed  down  so  mercilessly  at  short  range, 
that,  although  they  charged  no  less  than  fourteen 
times,  yet  they  never  came  within  twenty  rods  of 
the  infantry.  They  then  turned  their  attention  to 
the  batteries  on  the  flanks,  but  with  no  better  suc- 
cess, the  canister  heaping  the  field  with  them.  The 
fire  was  the  more  terribly  destructive  that  they 
always  charged  in  column.  Notwithstanding  their 
fearful  losses,  however,  their  whole  army  showed  the 
true  English  bull-dog  pertinacity,  and  outnumbering 
the  Americans  as  they  did,  the  fate  of  the  day  might 


3IO  CENTURIES  APART. 

have  been  quite  different  had  the  battle  lasted  until 
night,  for  the  ammunition  of  the  Americans  was 
becoming  exhausted ;  and  had  it  come  to  hand-to- 
hand  fighting,  there  could  have  been  no  question  as 
to  the  result,  with  men  in  armor,  ten  to  one,  against 
those  simply  in  modern  uniform.  Vaughn's  cavalry, 
of  course,  could  not  charge  the  mailed  knights,  or 
their  masses  of  spearmen,  and  could  only  do  effective 
service  with  carbine  and  pistol. 

The  American  loss,  which  was  about  two  hundred 
killed  and  wounded,  came  from  the  arquebusiers  and 
archers,  and  was  sustained  principally  when  the 
enemy's  line  pressed  forward  to  outflank  the  Ameri- 
can right.  Vaughn's  army  had  been  obliged  to  fight 
in  single  line  to  prevent  being  flanked,  taking  advan- 
tage of  every  tree,  rock,  or  inequality  of  ground  to 
lengthen  their  front ;  and  if  the  South  English  had 
attacked  also  in  line,  even  three  or  four  deep,  they 
would  have  been  able  to  outflank  and  almost  to  sur- 
round them.  But,  as  was  learned  afterward  from 
prisoners,  the  order  from  the  Earl  of  Richmond,  who 
succeeded  to  the  command  after  the  death  of  Sussex, 
was  to  attack  in  lines  of  columns,  thinking  by  sheer 
weight  of  numbers  to  bear  down  the  Americans. 

This  action  was  not  a  fair  sample  of  a  battle 
between  a  modern  and  a  mediaeval  army.  The 
disparity  of  numbers  was  too  great  to  allow  of  its 
being  a  good  test.  And  the  fact  that  the  Americans 
had  mediaeval  allies  complicated  the  considerations. 
Had  they  been  ten  thousand  strong,  and  alone  in  the 


GRIM-VIS  AG  ED    WAR.  31 1 

field  against  the  twenty-three  or  four  thousand  of 
Sussex,  the  contest  between  past  and  present  might 
have  presented  a  more  strikingly  instructive  picture. 

As  soon  as  victory  was  assured,  Percy,  with 
surgeons  and  orderlies,  hastened  back  into  the  wood 
to  find  Pelham  and  the  men  who  had  been  struck 
down  by  the  arrows  of  the  archers,  and  to  bring  off 
the  bodies  of  young  Russell  and  the  other  gallant 
slain.  They  found  four  of  the  troopers  dead,  the 
others  painfully  wounded.  Pelham,  severely  hurt, 
had  managed  to  crawl  to  the  edge  of  the  morass 
for  water.  All  were  brought  to  the  American  camp, 
which  had  been  established  on  the  field  of  battle. 

The  American  surgeons  were  busy  with  the 
wounded  of  the  army.  After  they  had  attended  to 
them  they  proceeded  to  give  like  care  to  those  of 
their  allies,  very  much  to  the  gratification  of  their 
South  English  friends;  and  lastly,  they  turned  their 
humane  attention  to  the  enemy's  injured,  very  much 
to  the  wonder  of  the  South  English  of  both  sides. 
A  proceeding  of  this  nature  was  evidently  beyond 
the  comprehension  of  these  people.  It  savored  of 
a  practical  Christianity  to  which  they  had  not  yet 
attained. 

Quite  a  different  thing  seemed  but  a  matter  of 
course  to  them.  The  field  was  covered  with  plun- 
derers, who  despoiled  slaughtered  friend  or  foe  alike, 
unless  the  dead  were  guarded  by  friends  or  depend- 
ants. There  were  many  quarrels  and  some  fights 
on  the  field  over  the  booty,  although  these  were 
sternly  quelled  by  orders  of  Angus.     He  was  com- 


312  CENTURIES  APART. 

pelled,  in  order  to  keep  the  peace  among  his  own 
followers,  to  hang  two  or  three  men  on  trees,  for 
examples.  In  the  plundering,  the  mountaineers  were 
especially  active.  The  clans  were,  from  the  hour  of 
victory,  under  no  discipline  or  restraint,  except  that 
of  their  own  chiefs.  Indeed,  that  night  they  one 
and  all  marched  away,  loaded  with  booty,  for  their 
mountain  fastnesses.  Ben-Ardlac  himself  sought 
out  Percy  and  bade  him  a  most  hearty  farewell, 
telling  him  that,  when  he  came  again,  and  as  long 
as  he  should  stay  in  the  country,  the  Eagle's  Crag 
was  his  home,  and  all  that  it  contained  his  own  to 
command.  "  Except,"  added  the  chief,  "  I  hope  and 
believe  that  my  fief  is  to  be  restored  to  me  ;  as  it  will 
assuredly  be  an  victory  seats  his  Grace  upon  the 
throne;  and  then  I  be  again  Lord  Dacre  of  Tisdale, 
and  Fernmoor  Castle  shall  be  more  fitting  abode  in 
which  to  welcome  my  gallant  friend  than  the  Eagle's 
Crag." 

And  so  the  clans  were  gone.  In  every  particular 
they  and  their  conduct,  under  all  circumstances, 
seemed  to  Percy  as  almost  identical  with  the  per- 
sonnel and  customs  of  the  Scotch  Highlanders  of 
the  ages  prior  to  the  time  of  Culloden. 

The  Earl  of  Angus,  and  all  the  barons  indeed,  came 
to  pay  their  respects  and  render  thanks  to  General 
Vaughn  late  in  the  day.  They  could  with  difficulty 
realize  that  so  small  a  body  of  men  could  have  held 
the  vastly  superior  army  of  Sussex  at  bay,  being 
themselves  without  armor.  Yet  when  they  saw  the 
terrible    execution   done   by  the  American    artillery 


GRIM-VISAGE D    WAR.  313 

and  rifles,  they  wondered  in  another  way.  They 
offered  Vaughn  anything  he  could  ask  if  he  would 
join  with  them  for  the  war.  Nevertheless,  when  he 
decidedly  refused  to  do  so,  they  apparently  fully 
appreciated  and  respected  his  reasons  for  declining. 
He  assured  them  that  he  was  fully  in  sympathy  with 
them,  and  would  certainly  fight  again  if  forced  to  do 
so,  but  that  his  orders  and  duty  toward  his  own 
government  required  his  setting  out  at  the  earliest 
moment  on  the  voyage  again.  They  evidently 
regarded  him  as  a  loyal  and  faithful  "  crown  vassal " 
of  his  President,  and  pressed  him  no  more. 

The  American  officers  were  then  invited  to  the 
South  English  camp  to  supper,  and  as  many  went 
over  as  could  be  spared.  Courtesies  and  farewells 
were  exchanged,  Percy  parting  with  especial  manifes- 
tation of  feeling  (which  was  fully  participated  in  on 
their  side)  with  his  friends  Lord  Reginald  and  Sir 
Harry  Percy.  These  gentlemen,  knowing  of  his 
relations  with  Lady  Kate,  regarded  him  already  as 
a  brother,  and  expressed  themselves  most  warmly  as 
to  his  welfare,  and  hoped  for  his  early  return  to 
South  England. 

The  South  English  army  took  up  its  route  on  the 
ensuing  morning  at  daybreak.  The  Americans  re- 
mained to  bury  their  dead,  and  on  the  following  da)' 
commenced  their  return  march  for  their  camp,  bear- 
ing their  wounded  on  litters.  Nothing  of  note 
occurred  on  the  way,  and  they  reached  their  desti- 
nation on  the  evening  of  the  fourth  clay. 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

WRECK   AND    RUIN. 

The  galley  staggers  before  the  gale, 

The  icy  north  wind  screaming, 
St.  Elmo's  lights  on  the  tattered  sail 

All  balefully  are  gleaming  — 
Till  Kelpies  swimming  beneath  the  wave 
Drag  down  the  ship  to  her  ocean  grave. 

Northumbrian  Sea  Song. 

THE  repairs  on  the  flagship  were  completed,  and  the 
embarkation  of  the  artillery  and  stores  was  imme- 
diately proceeded  with.  Then  came  the  question 
whether  the  royal  treasurer  would  carry  out  the 
bargain  which  had  been  entered  into  at  the  time  of 
the  purchase  of  the  horses,  and  buy  them  back  at  a 
greatly  reduced  figure. 

It  was  soon  found  impossible  to  have  any  commu- 
nication with  the  royal  officers,  as  the  gates  of  the 
city  were  kept  closed,  and  the  burghers  manned 
the  walls  as  if  the  town  were  in  a  state  of  siege. 
The  Queen,  who  was  acting  regent  in  the  absence 
of  the  King,  haughtily  refused  to  entertain  any 
negotiations  whatever  with  General  Vaughn. 

A  very  serious  question  now  arose.  The  ships 
were  not  half  supplied  with  coal,  and  although  this 
was  one  of  the  products  of  the  shire    of  Cornwall, 


WRECK  AND   RUIN.  3  I  5 

none  could  be  obtained  in  any  way.  It  was  brought 
by  sea  to  the  capital,  and  there  were  no  coal  vessels 
in  the  harbor.  Moreover,  it  was  learned  that  the 
Queen  had  issued  a  decree  forbidding  the  sale  of 
supplies  of  every  kind  to  the  Americans.  Vaughn 
ascertained,  however,  that  coal  was  shipped  from  the 
port  of  Tavistock,  on  the  southeast  coast  of  Corn- 
wall, and  he  adopted  an  expedient  which  seemed 
proper  under  the  circumstances,  considering  the 
necessities  of  the   fleet. 

He  determined  to  take  on  board  all  the  horses, 
sail  for  this  port  of  Tavistock,  and  there  take  the 
coal  by  force,  paying  for  it  in  horses.  The  utmost 
expedition  therefore  was  used  in  breaking  camp  and 
getting  the  troops  on  board.  In  twenty-four  hours 
after  the  plans  were  formed,  the  ships  got  under  way. 
Before  they  sailed,  however,  a  retainer  of  the  Earl  of 
Northumberland,  who  had  been  in  hiding  at  South 
London,  came  into  camp.  He  brought  news  which 
might,  if  true,  be  of  great  moment.  A  rumor  had 
arrived  of  the  total  destruction  of  the  King's  army 
and  the  death  of  the  monarch,  in  a  great  battle.  It 
could  not  be  authenticated,  as  the  messenger  who 
brought  the  story  from  the  North  had  been  imme- 
diately hanged  by  the  Queen's  order. 

Captain  Arthur  Percy,  exulting  in  the  opportunity 
thus  afforded  him,  immediately  laid  hands  on  this 
Northumbrian,  and  despatched  him  to  the  North 
with  letters  and  gifts  for  Lady  Kate  Percy,  rewarding 
him  in  advance  most  lavishly,  and  promising  him  yet 


316  CENTURIES  APART. 

further  guerdon  from  the  fair  lady  if  he  should 
arrive  safely  and  expeditiously.  He  gave  him  the 
best  horse  which  he  could  select,  and  urged  him 
away  the  same  evening.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the 
man  won  his  further  promised  reward. 

The  ships  sailed  slowly  down  the  coast.  A  South 
English  merchant  captain  had  been  impressed  as 
pilot,  with  promise  of  great  pay  if  all  went  well,  and 
of  a  halter  in  case  he  should  betray  them.  The 
fellow  proved  faithful,  and  on  the  afternoon  of  the 
ensuing  day  he  guided  them  into  a  little  sheltered 
bay,  where  lay  a  number  of  the  clumsy  South 
English  colliers  waiting  for  the  Queen's  permission 
to  sail  for  South  London.  Several  of  these  vessels 
were  peremptorily  ordered  to  haul  alongside  the 
steamers,  and  a  full  supply  of  coal  was  taken  from 
them.  It  was  all  the  property  of  the  Crown  as  it 
proved,  and  when  this  impromptu  coaling  was 
finished,  the  royal  intendant  in  charge  of  the  mines 
was  invited  on  board  the  flagship,  with  a  threat  of 
bombardment  of  the  town  should  he  refuse  to  come. 
Under  the  circumstances  he  accepted  the  invitation. 

His  name  was  Sir  John  Burleigh,  and  he  was  a 
stout,  wheezy,  fussy  knight,  a  little  the  worse,  body, 
soul,  and  habiliments,  for  the  wear  and  tear  of  time. 
He  was  presented  to  the  Quartermaster-General  of 
the  army,  who  was  a  bit  of  a  wag. 

"  You  serve  the  King  as  manager  of  the  mines?" 
inquired  the  American  officer  with  affected  hauteur. 

"  I  did,  my  Lord,"  replied  the  knight,  nervously, 


WRECK  AND   RUIN.  317 

"  and  I  trust  I  may  still.  But,  my  Lord,  doubtless 
ye  know  there  now  be  two  kings, —  young  Harry 
Plantagenet,  son  of  that  King  killed  at  the  bloody 
battle  of  Wye,  a  sennight  agone,  and  his  Grace  the 
Duke  of  Egremond  erstwhile,  whom  men  say  hath 
been  proclaimed  at  Taunton.  Ay,  my  Lord,  I  hope 
I  serve  under  the  King  yet." 

"  Under  which  King,  Bezonian?  Speak,  or  die  !  " 
thundered  the  American,  his  small  eyes  twinkling. 

Terrified  by  such  an  awful  quotation,  the  knight 
turned  pale  and  his  teeth  chattered.  "  Verily  — 
verily  —  in  good  sooth,  I  apprehend  you  not.  But 
'twere  meet  your  Worship  sent  to  the  shore  to 
inquire  concerning  these  matters  of  Lord  Ainslie. 
He  yesternight  seized  the  castle  of  Tavistock,  belong- 
ing to  his  Grace  of  Cornwall,  for  his  Grace  of  Egre- 
mond. Surely  ye  were  the  allies  of  the  Earl  of 
Angus  at  the  battle  of  the  Fens,  ten  days  agone, 
and  ye  know  of  King  Henry's  defeat,  and  death 
after?" 

"Ah!"  remarked  General  Vaughn,  who  had 
sauntered  within  hearing;  "that  puts  a  different  face 
upon  matters.  Captain  Percy,  you  will  at  once  go 
ashore  with  this  gentleman  and  see  Lord  Ainslie, 
with  my  compliments  and  congratulations.  Tell 
him  of  our  enforced  appropriation  of  this  coal, 
explaining  our  need.  The  Quartermaster-General 
will  go  with  you  and  make  a  trade  of  those  horses 
in  payment  for  the  coal.  Let  everything  be  made 
satisfactory  to  Lord  Ainslie.  Invite  him  and  his 
retinue  on  board." 


318  CENTURIES  APART. 

This  arrangement  seemed  vastly  satisfactory  to  the 
fat  knight,  who  was. evidently  in  great  alarm.  For 
the  possibilities  were  looming  up  in  the  horizon  of 
his  perturbed  spirit  that  the  sunlight  might  soon 
shine  and  the  breezes  blow  betwixt  his  bald  head 
and  unwieldy  body;  and  he  naturally  was  anxious 
to  postpone  that  consummation  indefinitely.  The 
party  went  ashore  and  were  received  most  graciously 
by  Lord  Ainslie,  who  nevertheless  pleaded  his  inabil- 
ity to  comply  with  the  invitation  to  visit  the  General, 
being  obliged  to  march  at  once  to  join  his  Majesty 
King  Alfred  at  Wyeside,  whence  they  were  to  move 
on  the  capital. 

Percy,  who  had  been  apprehensive  as  to  the  fate  of 
his  friends  in  the  late  battle,  ascertained  to  his  great 
joy  that  all  were  safe. 

The  exchange  of  horses  for  coal  was  gladly  acceded 
to,  as  Lord  Ainslie  needed  the  animals  sorely.  The 
beasts  were  thrown  overboard  and  swam  ashore, 
where  they  were  secured  by  the  Baron's  people. 

The  fleet  sailed  again  in  the  afternoon,  and  from 
this  time  the  story  of  the  voyage  is  an  unbroken 
record  of  disaster. 

The  coal  thus  obtained  turned  out  to  be  of  the 
very  poorest  quality,  very  hard  and  stony,  and  the 
use  of  it  necessitated  such  hard  and  continuous  work 
on  the  part  of  the  firemen  that  it  became  necessary 
to  detail  soldiers  to  help  them  keep  the  fires  clear; 
and  it  was  found  impossible  to  get  up  anything  like 
a  full  head  of  steam.     This  promised  badly  for  the 


WRECK  AND  RUIX.  319 

time  when  they  should  be  among  the  ice.  From  the 
best  information  which  had  been  obtainable  in  South 
England  it  was  thought  best  to  run  up  the  west  coast, 
passing  through  a  broad  strait  which  separated  South 
England  from  a  large  island  which  lay  west  of  it, 
following  the  Warm  Current,  which  eventually,  they 
had  been  told,  turned  off  from  the  coast  to  the 
northwest,  and  as  the  South  English  mariners 
averred,  struck  the  shores  of  the  unknown  ice- 
bound lands  lying  at  the  extremity  of  the  open 
polar  sea,  and  was  lost  there.  It  was  thought  that 
the  current  probably  made  its  way  between  some  of 
these  islands,  —  as  they  must  necessarily  be,  —  and 
entered  the  South  Atlantic  somewhere  west  of  the 
longitude  of  the  west  coast  of  South  America. 

On  the  second  night,  as  they  were  steaming  slowly 
northwest,  about  thirty  miles  from  the  land,  and  the 
shores  of  the  island  referred  to  some  ten  miles  to 
westward  of  them,  —  the  short  period  of  darkness 
being  perfectly  clear  (it  was  then  within  two  weeks  of 
the  "  Midnight  Sun")  — suddenly  one  of  the  terrific 
tempests  burst  upon  them,  such  as  Percy  had  wit- 
nessed at  Eagle's  Crag.  It  seemed  to  come  from 
the  mountains  of  the  island,  and  was  a  hurricane  of 
blinding  snow  and  hail,  which  prevented  all  progress 
and  spread  a  pall  of  impenetrable  blackness  over  the 
sea.  The  roar  was  deafening,  yet  upon  the  flagship 
people  thought  they  heard  guns  several  times.  The 
ship  had  been  laid  head  on  with  all  the  steam  which 
could  be  got  up.     The  sea  was  not  very  high,  but  it 


320  CENTURIES  APART. 

was  churned  into  such  a  yeast  of  foam  that  it  looked 
as  if  the  snow  was  piling  up  on  the  surface  of  the 
waves. 

The  storm  ceased  in  half  an  hour  as  suddenly  as  it 
had  arisen ;  but  what  was  the  dismay  to  find  that  only 
two  ships  responded  to  the  signal  lights  from  the 
flagship  !  It  was  within  a  half-hour  of  dawn,  and 
the  ships  were  put  about,  guns  fired,  and  through 
the  ensuing  day  the  fleet  cruised  in  all  directions; 
but  nothing  was  seen  of  the  missing  vessel,  the 
"  Weetamoe,"  excepting  one  boat  that  was  picked 
up  stove,  at  noon.  She  had  gone  down  with  all  on 
board,  leaving  only  this  trace.  On  her  was  the 
battalion  of  cavalry  which  comprised  in  its  com- 
panies that  of  Percy's  friend  and  old  comrade, 
Captain  Pelham,  as  well  as  the  most  of  the  artillery 
and   some   infantry. 

The  fleet  sadly  resumed  its  course  again,  and  in 
two  days  saw  the  last  of  the  South  English  coast  and 
the  islands  lying  north  of  it.  Then  for  several  days 
they  sailed  on  as  fast  as  their  miserable  fuel  would 
allow,  still  following  the  Warm  Current,  and  at  last, 
at  dawn  one  morning,  saw  land  ahead.  It  proved  to 
be  mountainous  and  volcanic,  and  as  had  been  sur- 
mised, turned  out  to  consist  of  large  islands  lying  in 
a  line  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach  from  east  to  west. 
One  of  the  volcanoes  was  smoking,  and  the  tops 
of  all  the  mountains  were  white  with  snow  and  ice. 
The  Warm  Current  passed  between  two  large  islands 
by  a  winding  strait,  varying  from  three  to  ten  miles 


WRECK  AND   RUIN.  32  I 

in  breadth  and  about  thirty  in  length.  On  either 
hand  the  mountains  lay  near  the  coast,  only  narrow 
valleys  being  between  the  foot-hills  and  the  sea,  and 
everywhere  the  land  seemed  covered  with  glaciers. 
At  times  the  roar  of  icebergs  breaking  off  was 
deafening,  and  where  the  strait  narrowed,  navigation 
was  difficult  and  dangerous.  Detached  fields  of  ice 
were  floating  northward,  and  these  grew  more  exten- 
sive as  they  advanced,  until,  upon  turning  a  point 
where  the  passage  was  only  about  two  miles  wide, 
they  came  upon  a  floe  which  entirely  filled  the  centre 
of  the  strait,  leaving  a  lead  on  each  side  of  but  a  few 
hundred  feet  in  width.  On  the  coast  of  the  more 
southerly  island  an  immense  glacier  came  down  to 
the  sea  at  this  point.  The  ice  cliff  was  at  least  two 
hundred  feet  high,  and  overhung  the  water  in  a  very 
threatening  manner.  The  breadth  of  the  mouth  of 
this  huge  ice  river  was  more  than  a  mile. 

The  flagship  entered  the  lead  nearest  the  most 
northerly  island,  followed  by  the  "  Sea  Mew."  The 
other  ship,  the  "  Midgard  Serpent,"  was  about  two 
miles  behind,  and  heading  for  the  southerly  channel. 
At  this  time  a  dense  fog  came  up  the  strait  in  front 
of  them,  and  soon  enveloped  everything  in  such 
murky  gloom  that  the  ship's  bow  was  invisible  from 
the  bridge.  They  simply  drifted  along  for  some 
time,  when  it  was  thought  best  to  anchor  if  possible. 
Soundings  were  got  at  forty  fathoms,  and  the  "  Bald 
Eagle"  came  to  anchor,  the  "Sea  Mew"  following 
her  example  just  astern. 

21 


322  CENTURIES   APART. 

They  had  lain  here  for  an  hour.  General  Vaughn, 
the  Commodore,  and  two  or  three  of  the  staff  had 
walked  forward  to  where  the  captain  of  the  ship  was 
talking  with  an  old  boatswain,  who  had  been  a  whaler 
in  arctic  seas,  and  was  somewhat  familiar  with  the 
glaciers  on  the  coast  of  Alaska.  As  nearly  as  they 
could  judge  then,  they  were  opposite  the  great  glacier 
on  the  further  shore. 

Suddenly  a  gun  boomed  from  the  other  side  of 
the  strait,  the  deep  roar  being  taken  up  by  the 
echoes,  and  bandied  about  by  the  ice  cliffs  and 
precipices  upon  either  shore  until  the  air  seemed 
alive  with  the  crashing  sound.  Then  another  and 
another  gun  followed. 

"  Minute  guns,"  said  the  captain,  anxiously.  "  The 
'  Midgard  Serpent'  is  in  trouble;  but  it  is  impossible 
to  get  to  her  over  these  floes." 

"  Good  Heaven  !  Captain,"  cried  the  old  boatswain. 
"  She  must  be  close  under  that  ice !  The  worst 
thing  she  can  do  is  to  fire  guns." 

It  was  then  about  eleven  o'clock.  The  fog  began 
to  clear  away  rapidly.  In  the  course  of  ten  minutes 
it  had  risen,  and  the  companies  of  the  two  ships 
strained  their  eyes  peering  across  the  floe,  piled  up 
in  some  places  fifteen  feet  high  with  the  rough, 
broken  ice.  They  saw  the  "  Midgard  Serpent," 
which  the  floe  in  the  further  channel  had  crowded 
in  almost  under  the  terrible  overhanging  cliffs  of  the 
glacier,  and  it  was  apparent  that  she  was  helpless. 
Still  they  were  firing  guns. 


WRECK   AND   RUIN.  323 

As  they  gazed,  all  in  a  moment  a  horrible  crash  of 
sound  almost  stunned  them.  It  was  followed  by  a 
grinding,  rending,  thundering  roar;  and  they  saw  a 
huge  mountain  of  ice  majestically  detach  itself  from 
the  face  of  the  glacier  and  topple  over,  at  first  slowly, 
but  ever  gathering  velocity  as  it  plunged  into  the 
sea.  It  seemed  hundreds  of  feet  in  longitudinal 
extent  along  the  glacier's  face,  and  of  the  whole 
height  ot  the  ice  sheet.  As  it  hurled  itself  into  the 
waters  a  great  white  cloud  of  spray  and  foam  flew 
upward,  and  a  wave  of  immense  proportions  arose 
and  leaped  forward  across  the  strait.  It  caught  the 
unhappy  ship  and  raised  her  in  air  as  if  she  had  been 
a  straw,  dashing  her  with  a  shivering  crash  on  the 
ice  floe,  where  she  lay  high  and  dry  upon  her  broad- 
side; the  wave  swept  onward  many  feet  above  the 
surface  of  the  floe,  and  only  spent  its  force  as  it 
reached  the  open  water  where  lay  the  two  ships  at 
anchor,  its  dispersing  volume  striking  and  raising 
them  several   feet. 

But  the  iceberg  had  fallen  into  the  water  with  a 
rolling  impetus,  and  as  it  rose  to  establish  its  buoy- 
ancy, the  enormous  bulk,  which  shot  up  into  the  air 
at  least  a  hundred  feet  in  height,  was  seen  to  hang  for 
an  instant,  as  if  in  the  balance,  and  then  to  begin  to 
topple  over  again  toward  the  floe.  A  spontaneous 
cry  of  horror  burst  from  all  the  beholders  as  they 
saw  the  berg  majestically,  but  with  appalling  swift- 
ness, precipitate  itself  upon  its  helpless  victim. 

The  "  Midgard  Serpent,"  and  the  floe  upon  which 


324  CENTURIES  APART. 

she  lay,  vanished  like  a  flash  beneath  the  titanic 
destroyer. 

For  a  while  the  iceberg  rocked  and  rolled,  then 
settled  quietly  upon  the  waves,  its  great  translucent 
pinnacles  gleaming  with  exquisite  beauty  in  the 
bright  sunbeams  dancing  about  them,  as  in  scintillat- 
ing mockery  of  the  sickened  hearts  of  those  who 
had  helplessly  watched  the  awful  catastrophe;  and 
there  it  towered,  a  monument  of  ghastly  magnifi- 
cence, above  the  icy  ocean  grave  of  seven  hundred 
brave  men. 

Every  one,  officer  and  man  alike,  seemed  par- 
alyzed by  what  they  had  witnessed.  For  hours  few 
words  were  spoken,  and  no  movements  made  toward 
getting  under  way.  None  knew  how  soon  a  similar 
fate  might  be  looked  for  by  the  surviving  ships. 

Meanwhile  the  ice  floe  moved  slowly  on  in  the 
current,  and  by  the  middle  of  the  afternoon  there 
were  some  miles  of  clear  water  ahead  of  them,  except 
that  here  and  there  icebergs,  mostly  small  ones,  were 
floating  along.  The  one  which  had  crushed  the 
"  Midgard  Serpent"  had  grounded  upon  a  reef  which 
made  out  from  the  southerly  island,  and  lay  about  a 
mile  away,  where  the  channel  widened  again  between 
the  islands  to  some  five  miles. 

Finally  they  weighed  anchor  and  began  to  steam 
slowly  ahead,  using  the  lead  constantly,  but  keeping 
well  in  the  middle  of  the  strait.  Before  the  short 
period  of  darkness  had  set  in,  they  had  the  broad 
ocean  before  them,  although  they  were  dismayed  to 


WRECK     AM)     RUIN.       PA01 


WRECK'  AND  RUIN.  325 

find  fields  of  ice  stretching  away  to  the  horizon  on 
every  hand.  Many  bergs  were  in  sight,  moving 
northward  with  the  rest  of  the  ice.  The  strait  was 
some  ten  miles  wide,  where  it  opened  upon  the  sea. 
The  shores  of  the  lands  on  either  side  were  lower  and 
less  mountainous  than  they  had  been,  so  that  a  wide 
expanse  of  ocean  was  visible,  but  no  open  water 
could  be  seen  from  the  masthead,  except  a  small 
space  to  the  northeastward  along  the  coast.  The 
broad  entrance  to  the  strait  was  packed  with  floes 
and  bergs,  although  the  current  had  borne  them  on 
as  far  as  this  point  with  comparative  speed.  The 
general  movement  northward  of  the  ice  was  plainly 
checked  by  a  strong  north  wind  which  was  blowing, 
and  from  the  position  and  movements  of  some  bergs, 
the  old  boatswain  who  had  been  so  much  in  arctic 
seas  said  that  either  the  Warm  Current  turned  after 
leaving  the  strait,  or  what  was  more  likely,  there  were 
counter-currents  which  set  these  bergs  in  apparently 
contrary  directions,  although,  after  observing  them 
for  some  hours,  they  appeared  insensibly  to  be  borne 
northward  in  a  general  drift.  Meanwhile  nothing 
could  be  done  better  than  to  moor  the  ships  to  the 
edge  of  the  floe,  which  was  for  the  time  stationary. 
Here  they  lay  for  the  night. 

About  sunrise  the  wind  shifted  to  westerly,  and 
soon  after  the  floe  was  found  to  be  in  motion,  and 
from  the  masthead  it  was  seen  that  a  change  was 
taking  place  in  the  condition  of  the  ice  field  outside 
the  strait.     The  Warm  Current  was   now  seen  to  set 


326  CENTURIES  APART. 

northwesterly,  and  it  was  to  a  certain  extent  free  of 
ice  as  far  as  its  course  could  be  traced,  although 
there  were  some  bergs  floating  in  it.  It  was  possible 
that  by  following  it  they  might  the  sooner  extricate 
themselves  from  the  ice,  and  it  was  decided  to  be 
best  to  proceed  ;  for  to  remain  where  they  were  was 
very  dangerous.  Large  bergs  might  at  any  hour 
come  down  on  them  from  the  glaciers  bordering 
this  channel ;  and  if  they  should  anchor  in  the  clear 
water  next  the  coast,  a  setting  in  of  the  ice,  or 
"  pack,"  would  crush,  or  force  them  on  shore.  They 
managed  to  make  considerable  progress  by  noon, 
although  still  the  ice  bounded  the  horizon.  The 
"  Bald  Eagle  "  was  ahead,  and  had  reached  a  large 
extent  of  fairly  open  water.  The  "  Sea  Mew  "  had 
passed  around  the  other  side  of  a  berg,  concealing 
her  from  view,  when  the  sound  of  a  signal  gun  broke 
the  otherwise  awful  stillness.  It  echoed  and  re- 
echoed among  the  floating  ice  mountains  about 
them,  and  the  "  Bald  Eagle  "  was  at  once  headed 
across  the  open  "  lead  "  so  as  to  get  sight  of  the 
"  Sea  Mew  "  beyond  the  berg.  To  their  dismay  she 
was  seen  careened  almost  on  her  beam  ends.  What 
had  happened  was  but  too  evident.  She  had  been 
caught  in  a  "nip"  and  crushed  against  a  low  berg. 
Her  people  were  getting  upon  the  floe  as  rapidly  as 
possible  and  unloading  what  they  could,  using  the 
utmost  despatch,  of  her  cargo  and  stores.  The  boats 
were  launched  upon  the  ice.  The  flagship  instantly 
steamed  up  to  the  edge  of  the  floe  and  made  fast  to 


WRECK  AND  RUIN.  327 

it.  A  petty  officer  from  the  "  Sea  Mew"  soon  came 
hurrying  as  fast  as  the  rough  ice  would  allow. 

"  We  shall  have  to  come  aboard  you,  sir,"  he  cried 
to  the  captain,  as  soon  as  he  was  within  hearing; 
"the  bottom  of  the  'Sea  Mew'  is  cut  out  of  her." 
Even  as  he  spoke  the  "  nip  "  relaxed  about  the  fated 
ship,  and  she  righted,  sliding  off  the  ice  only  to  go 
down  instantly.  The  crew  and  soldiers  of  her  com- 
pany managed  to  cross  the  ice,  bringing  the  sick,  and 
also  their  boats  and  such  stores  as  could  be  saved, 
and  were  taken  on  board  the  "  Bald  Eagle,"  which 
resumed  her  perilous  way,  using  every  precaution  to 
avoid  a  like  fate. 

Meantime  the  sufferings  were  great.  The  cold  was 
severe,  the  ship  was  crowded  to  her  utmost  capacity. 
The  guns  and  everything  else  which  could  be  spared 
were  thrown  overboard  to  make  room.  All  hands 
were  put  on  short  rations,  and  to  crown  all,  a  danger- 
ous form  of  fever  broke  out. 

For  ten  days  they  were  among  the  ice  before  they 
could  extricate  themselves,  but  finally  reached  the 
open  sea  in  longitude  a  little  east  of  Cape  Horn.  A 
council  of  war  was  called,  and  it  was  determined, 
without  a  dissenting  voice,  to  try  to  make  the  best  of 
their  way  to  Rio  Janeiro  and  thence  to  return  to  New 
York.  They  were  in  very  miserable  condition  even 
for  that  voyage.  The  ship  had  been  strained  among 
the  ice,  was  leaking  badly;  the  fuel,  poor  as  it  was, 
had  to  be  husbanded  carefully  ;  and  the  weather  was 
threatening.      It  soon  appeared   indispensable  to  try 


328  CENTURIES  APART. 

to  make  the  nearest  port  they  could  in  South 
America.  In  case  of  disaster  there  were  not  boats 
enough  to  save  half  the  people  on  board.  They 
went  on,  however,  and  (the  weather  being  only  mod- 
erately bad  on  the  average)  had  reached  a  latitude 
where  they  might  reasonably  expect  to  come  across 
vessels,  when  a  terrible  storm  came  on. 

Up  to  that  time  not  a  sail  had  been  seen.  They 
seemed  alone  on  the  seas.  The  fever  was  increasing, 
the  sick  dying  very  fast,  and  the  distress  was  terrible. 
The  storm  lasted  three  days.  They  had  the  greatest 
difficulty  in  keeping  the  ship  afloat.  The  leak  con- 
stantly increased,  and  by  the  time  blue  sky  appeared 
again  she  had  settled  materially  in  the  water.  Every- 
thing had  been  done  that  good  seamanship  could 
suggest,  but  all  to  no  purpose,  and  finally  the  masts 
were  cut  away,  all  spare  spars  got  on  deck,  and  they 
set  to  work  building  rafts  and  getting  ready  stores  to 
put  on  them,  for  it  was  certain  that  the  ship  could 
not  float  many  hours.  In  fact,  by  sunrise  of  the  fifth 
day,  the  sea  having  subsided,  the  rafts  were  launched 
and  stores  put  on  board,  and  the  work  of  loading  the 
sick  in  the  boats  was  begun.  By  noon  the  steamer 
was  so  low  in  the  water  that  she  threatened  to  go 
down  at  any  moment,  and  the  only  chance  was  to 
abandon  her  and  take  to  the  boats  and  rafts.  The 
last  men  to  quit  the  ship  were  General  Vaughn,  the 
Commodore,  and  Percy.  These  three  embarked  in 
separate  boats,  Percy  being  on  board  one  laden  with 
many  sick  men,  and  in  charge  of  the  fourth  officer  of 


WRECK  AND  RI//N.  329 

the  "Bald  Eagle."  Ten  minutes  after  their  leaving 
the  steamer  she  plunged  forward,  staggering  under 
water  as  a  mortally  wounded  horse  falls  to  the  earth; 
and  these  hundreds  of  miserables  were  afloat,  in 
almost  untraversed  seas,  in  frail  boats  and  on  flimsy 
rafts,  sick,  starving,  exhausted,  dying,  but  still  making 
a  brave  fight  for  life. 

Everything  depended  upon  a  quiet  sea,  and  their 
promptly  meeting  a  vessel,  whether  a  man  of  them 
all  ever  saw  land  again.  As  yet  no  sail  had  appeared. 
They  tried  to  set  their  course  due  north,  hoping  to 
be  able  to  reach  the  southern  extremity  of  South 
America. 

But  they  were  doomed.  After  a  day  and  a  half  of 
comparatively  quiet  weather,  a  storm  set  in  from  the 
northeast,  and  the  boats  and  rafts  were  soon  sepa- 
rated. Percy  and  his  companions  found  themselves 
at  nightfall  out  of  sight  of  all  the  others.  The  gale 
was  increasing. 

Percy  does  not  attempt  to  describe  the  horrors  of 
the  succeeding  night.  The  cold  severe,  the  boat 
overloaded,  torrents  of  rain  and  hail,  the  sea  con- 
stantly rising.  One  by  one  the  wretches  succumbed 
to  cold  and  exhaustion,  and  were  thrown  overboard 
to  lighten  the  boat.  Toward  morning  there  were  but 
seven  left,  and  they  so  weak  as  to  be  unable  to  move. 
Percy  remembers  no  more  of  this  scene.  Me  thought 
he  slept. 

When  he  regained  consciousness  and  opened  his 
eyes,  he  found  himself  in  a  berth  on  board  of  a  ship, 


330  CENTURIES  APART. 

with  several  people  standing  around  him,  one  admin- 
istering stimulants.  They  were  talking  unintelligibly 
at  first,  but  soon  he  grew  strong  enough  to  under- 
stand that  they  were  speaking  Spanish.  Upon  look- 
ing again  he  saw  they  were  in  uniform,  and  at  length 
comprehended  that  he  was  on  board  of  a  Spanish 
man-of-war.  As  soon  as  he  was  able  he  told  them 
of  the  boats  and  rafts  which  had  left  the  "  Bald 
Eagle,"  loaded  to  the  water's  edge  with  people;  and 
to  his  great  relief  the  ship  was  instantly  put  about 
and  headed  for  the  locality  about  where  the  survivors, 
if  any,  might  yet  be  found.  They  cruised  for  two 
days,  firing  guns  and  using  every  effort  to  find  the 
shipwrecked  unfortunates,  but  to  no  purpose.  His 
rescuers  told  him  that  he  was  the  only  living  person 
on  board  the  boat  when  they  had  picked  it  up  on  the 
evening  before.  He  was  unable  to  give  them  any 
further  information  as  to  who  he  was,  or  in  relation 
to  the  lost  ship,  for  he  soon  became  very  ill,  having 
taken  the  fever  which  had  proved  so  fatal  to  the 
people  on  board  the  "  Bald  Eagle."  All  that  the 
Spaniards  could  gather  from  him  was  that  an  Ameri- 
can man-of-war  or  transport  had  gone  down.  He 
was  delirious  until  after  his  Spanish  friends  parted 
from  him  at  Rio,  where  they  put  in,  and  where 
Percy  was  taken  to  the  house  of  an  American  mer- 
chant, and  most  kindly  cared  for. 

The  family  with  whom  he  found  himself  when  he 
grew  well  enough  to  be  conscious  of  his  condition 
and  surroundings  proved  to  be  most  agreeable  and 


WRECK  AXD   RUIN.  33 1 

hospitable  people.  Nothing  which  could  be  done 
for  his  comfort  was  omitted.  He  received  the  most 
tender  and  delicate  care,  and  the  most  refined  sym- 
pathy. His  host  was  a  thoroughly  loyal  man, 
devoted,  as  far  as  one  so  distant  from  home  could 
be,  to  the  cause  of  the  Union. 

As  soon  as  Percy  grew  well  enough  to  talk,  he 
gave  his  friends  to  understand  that  he  had  been  an 
officer  on  board  of  a  transport  carrying  troops  for  an 
expedition  which  had  sailed  for  the  west  coast  under 
sealed  orders  (which  was  indeed  the  case),  and  which 
had  met  with  shipwreck  and  the  loss  of  every  man 
but  himself.  He  thought  best  not  to  communicate 
more,  relative  to  the  destination  of  the  expedition  ; 
and  he  was  well  aware  that  a  full  account  of  the  adven- 
tures of  the  fleet  and  army  would  have  been  regarded 
as  the  invention  of  a  madman  or  an  impostor. 

It  was  February  before  he  was  strong  enough  to 
start  for  home,  and  then  he  found  that  the  most  cer- 
tain course  was  to  take  a  mail-steamer  for  Europe, 
rather  than  to  try  to  reach  New  York  direct  from 
Rio  Janeiro.  Leaving  his  kind  friends  there  with 
warmest  expressions  of  gratitude,  he  sailed,  and,  arriv- 
ing on  the  Continent  in  good  season,  crossed  to  Eng- 
land, being  just  in  time  to  catch  a  steamer  for  New 
York. 

He  reached  home  during  the  last  days  of  the  siege 
of  Richmond.  Having  written  out  his  report  while 
on  the  voyage,  he  hastened,  upon  his  arrival,  to 
Washington,  where  he  delivered  it  at  the  War  Office. 


332  CENTURIES  APART. 

But  it  was  evident  that  his  report  of  the  new  dis- 
coveries of  lands  and  nations,  so  accidentally  made, 
was  neither  understood  nor  appreciated.  Indeed,  a 
high  official,  who  had  but  glanced  over  it,  said  to 
him  in  a  hurried  interview:  "Captain  Percy,  I  am 
free  to  confess  that  I  can  scarcely  comprehend,  and 
indeed  have  but  cast  a  desultory  regard  over  your 
long  story.  I  have  no  doubt  it  is  of  great  interest, 
to  be  considered  at  some  future  time ;  but  it  is  impos- 
sible, sir,  to  give  it,  or  any  other  side  issue,  any 
attention  at  the  present  tremendous  crisis.  I  am 
very  sorry  to  find  you  the  sole  survivor  of  the  ill- 
fated  expedition,  which  would  appear  to  have  been 
wrecked  off  Cape  Horn.  I  congratulate  you  on 
having  been   rescued. 

"  You  must  excuse  me  from  further  communication 
with  you  to-day,  or  indeed  for  the  present.  You  will 
to-morrow  receive  your  commission  as  major  in  the 

th  United  States  Cavalry,  and  will  be  detailed,  at 

your  own  request,  to  serve  for  the  coming  campaign 

on  the  staff  of  your  friend   General  L .     Seven 

days'  leave  of  absence  is  granted,  that  you  may  visit 
your  home.     I  wish  you  good-night,  sir." 

So  Percy  hurried  on  to  Boston  to  pass  a  few 
days  with  his  sister  before  reporting  for  duty  to 
General   L . 

And  now,  Captain  Arthur  Percy's  diary  containing 
henceforward  only  blank  leaves,  it  becomes  necessary 
for  the  chronicler  of  these  events  to  appear  in  person 
upon  the  scene. 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

THE   TRAGEDY. 

"  Who  art  thou,  lovely  misty  form 
That  haunt'st  our  bivouac  to-night  ? " 

"Thy  lost  love's  wraith  ;  and,  warrior  buhl, 
Thy  young  life's  tale  is  well-nigh  told ! 
Although  thy  heart  leaps  high  and  warm, 
Yet  shall  it  lie  full  still  and  cold 
When  thee  my  loving  arms  enfold 
At  battle's  close,  to-morrow  night." 

Old.  Song. 

When  Arthur  Percy  was  about  departing  on  the 
fatal  expedition,  he  begged  my  mother,  who  had 
been  a  dear  friend  of  his  own  mother,  to  receive  his 
orphaned  sister  Catherine  into  her  home  and  heart. 
The  sweet  lady  was  only  too  grateful  for  the  oppor- 
tunity of  extending  her  protection  and  care  over 
the  young  girl,  who  became  at  once  as  her  own 
daughter. 

Meanwhile,  in  the  latter  part  of  December  I  had 
been  severely  wounded  in  an  obscure  skirmish  in 
Virginia,  and  after  being  some  weeks  in  hospital,  had 
been  sent  home  on  an  extended  sick  leave. 

I  had  found  this  beautiful  girl  at  home  in  my 
mother's  house.  She  had  matured  since  I  had  last 
seen  her,  which  was  years  before,  when  she  was  but 
a  school-girl. 


334  CENTURIES  APART. 

Now,  if  a  charming  young  creature  is  thrown  much 
into  the  society  of  a  youth  fresh  from  the  field 
of  glory,  and  with  the  scars  of  battle  yet  smart- 
ing upon  him,  the  consequence  is  apt  not  to  be  other 
than  —  well,  our  case  was  a  fair  illustration  of  the 
natural    and   logical  sequence. 

So  when  Captain  Arthur  Percy  arrived  at  his  home, 
he  found  a  state  of  affairs  existing  with  reference  to 
his  friend  and  his  sister  which  afforded  him  the 
liveliest  satisfaction.  Nothing,  it  seemed,  could  have 
given  him  more  pleasure. 

"  My  dear  fellow,"  said  he  to  me,  "  it  is  the  one 
thing  which  I  should  have  wished  for  her." 

I  found  that  he  was  going  down  to  the  army  on  the 
third  day  after  this,  and  I  determined  to  accompany 
him,  although  hardly  fit  as  yet  to  take  the  field.  But 
the  last  campaign  was  really  on,  and  I  had  been  com- 
missioned as  major  in  the  regiment  during  my  con- 
valescence, and  could  not  endure  being  away  from 
the  front,  if  I  could  possibly  sit  in  the  saddle.  I  was 
the  more  anxious  to  go  with  him  because  his  friend 

General  L was  the  brilliant  leader  of  the  cavalry 

division  in  which  was  our  regiment,  and  we  should  be 
in  a  measure  together. 

When  I  communicated  my  determination  to  him, 
he  said,  after  a  moment's  thought,  "  Tom,  I  want  you 
and  Catherine  to  be  married  to-morrow.  It  is  best. 
I  want  to  see  her  your  wife  before  I  —  that  is,  I  may 
not  last  the  campaign  out.     I  feel  this  strongly.     And 


THE    TRAGEDY.  335 

I    should    be   happier    if   anything    happened  —  you 

know." 

I  was  much  startled,  but  of  course  supremely  happy 
at  the  idea. 

Thus  my  own  romance  was  accomplished.  The 
beautiful  Catherine  Percy  became  my  bride. 

I  will  not  allude  to  the  partings,  with  the  pain  and 
distress  of  the  scene. 

Arthur  Percy  and  I  started  for  the  front.  Arthur 
had  not  given  us  any  detailed  account  of  the  fatal 
expedition  while  at  home.  There  was  no  fitting 
time,  and  perhaps  he  did  not  wish  to  speak  of  it. 
The  horrors  which  attended  its  ending  probably  yet 
haunted   him. 

But  on  our  journey  he  told  me  as  briefly  as  possi- 
ble the  particulars  of  the  story,  and  also  said  that 
he  had  left  his  diary  and  papers  under  seal  with 
Catherine,  for  me  to  use  as  I  saw  fit,  in  case  he  did 
not  survive  the  campaign.  I  confess  that  I  was  much 
troubled  at  his  story.  It  all  seemed  logical  enough, 
and  there  was  nothing  in  his  manner  or  state  of  mind 
in  itself  which  seemed  to  suggest  that  his  brain  was 
affected;  but  still  the  improbability  of  a  great  part 
of  his  tale  was  too  great  to  allow  of  its  being  seriously 
considered  as  an  actual  record  of  occurrences.  To  be 
frank,  I  concluded  that  the  sufferings  and  hardships 
of  the  shipwreck  had  unbalanced  his  mind. 

Ot  course  I  expressed  not  a  syllable  of  this;  but 
doubtless  my  silence  and  evident  anxiety  impressed 
him.     He  had  ended  his  account  an  hour  before  we 


336  CENTURIES  APART. 

reached  Washington,  where  he  was  obliged  to  report. 
We  were  to  spend  the  night  there  and  start  for  the 
front  in  the  morning.  After  finishing  supper  at  the 
hotel,  he  asked  me  to  come  to  our  room.  When  we 
were  there  he  said :  — 

"  Tom,  I  am  not  at  all  surprised  that  you  are 
grieved  and  worried  over  my  story.  And  it 's  per- 
fectly reasonable  that  you  think  my  mind  affected. 
Don't  start,  old  boy;  it  is  quite  natural  that  you 
should.  I  am  well  aware  that  my  account  seems 
utterly  inadmissible  in  most  particulars.  But  now 
see  what  I  have  here,  and  explain  if  you  can  how 
these  things  could  exist  unless  they  were  authentic. 
Here  are  some  letters  of  General  Vaughn  in  his  own 
hand,  written  to  me  in  South  England.  Here  are 
two  or  three  of  his  orders,  signed  by  Oldham, 
Assistant  Adjutant-General  of  the  army  there.  You 
know  the  handwriting  of  both,  and  you  were  person- 
ally acquainted  with  them.  Here  is  the  very  de- 
spatch of  Vaughn  to  Warren,  received  by  us  in  the 
South  English  camp  of  Angus  the  night  before 
the  battle  of  Humber  Fens.  Here  is  a  Northum- 
brian dagger  given  me  by  the  Percy  himself,  Earl  of 
Northumberland.  See  the  Percy  arms,  inlaid  in  gold 
in  the  blade.  Is  n't  that  mediaeval?  Did  you  notice 
this  sapphire  ring,  —  my  betrothal  ring,  Tom,  — 
given  me  by  Kate  Percy?  Was  that  stone  ever  cut 
in  that  strange  way  by  European  lapidary,  or  that 
ring  wrought  by  modern  goldsmith? 

"  Now  here   is  the   gold  swan  bracelet,   or   rather 


THE    TRAGEDY.  337 

armlet,  which  poor  Vivienne  Dacre  gave  me  for  — 
for  Kate  "  (the  poor  fellow  choked),  —  "  and  —  and 
now,  Tom,  look!  Here  is  the  miniature."  He  drew 
it  from  over  his  heart.  "And  here,  Tom,  is  her 
letter  to  me  at    Eagle's   Crag !     Think  of  it,    Tom  ! 

0  Tom,  think  of  it!"  He  buried  his  face  in  his 
hands  and  broke  down  utterly  in  his  bereavement 
and   misery. 

"  Talk  not  of  grief,  till  thou  hast  seen 
The  tears  of  warlike  men," 

says  Mrs.  Hemans.  I  involuntarily  threw  my  arm 
around    him. 

I  looked  at  these  things  as  in  a  dream.  I  was 
perfectly  astounded;  for  I  doubted  no  longer.  He 
wanted  me  to  read  the  letter.     I  did  so. 

But  the  tremendous  moment  of  the  discoveries 
made  by  the  expedition —  of  his  experiences,  now 
that  I   realized  them  —  was  so  intensely  exciting  that 

1  sprang  up  and  walked  the  room  in  a  state  of  mind 
wrought  up  to  the  highest  pitch. 

"  Arthur,"  I  cried,  "  you  should  never  go  to  the 
front  again.  You  should  see  the  President  and  place 
this  matter  before  him,  together  with  these  proofs,  in 
such  a  light  that  an  expedition  would  be  sent  at  once 
to  this  antarctic  land.  Why,  man  !  'T  is  a  discovery 
more  wonderful  in  many  ways  than  that  of  Columbus. 
A  continent  found  in  waters  not  traversed  for  the 
past  four  hundred  years !  English  and  French 
speaking  nations!  Think  what  fame  for  yourself 
and    glory  for  your   country !  " 


33^  CENTURIES  APART. 

"  Ah,"  he  replied  sadly,  "  let  us  first  see  if  we  have 
a  country.  This  campaign  will  decide  that,  however, 
and,  I  believe  with  all  my  faith,  in  the  affirmative. 
No,  Tom,  the  fighting  may  be  short,  but  it  will  be 
sharp,  and  I  must  be  in  at  the  death.  After  that  we 
will  try  to  convince  the  government  that  I  'm  not 
mad,  and  am  able  to  lead  an  expedition  which  shall 
carry  '  Old  Glory '  to  these  strange  seas  again. 
And  what  will  it  not  mean  to  me  to  go  there  once 
more?"  he  added  with  vehement  feeling  and  con- 
centrated passion  of  utterance. 

I  slept  little  that  night;  an  unwise  wakefulness,  for 
we  needed  every  moment's  rest  that  we  could  get  to 
build  up  for  the  hard  work  ahead.  The  next  morn- 
ing we  started  for  the  front,  after  Percy's  call  at  the 
War  Office.  We  reached  the  division  in  good  time. 
It  was  with  Sheridan.  You  know,  reader,  what  that 
meant.  But  I  will  not  weary  you  with  details  of 
active  service,  which  are  technical  and  tiresome. 

We  went  through  Five  Forks,  and  considerable 
other  fighting,  and  remained  unhurt.  Our  losses 
had  been  heavy,  however,  especially  in  officers. 
Promotions  were  rapid  in  those  days,  and  I  found 
myself  in  a  short  time  lieutenant-colonel  command- 
ing the  regiment. 

It  was  the  night  before  Sailor's  Creek.  We  had 
just  heard  of  the  magnificent  exploit  of  a  handful 
of  the  Fourth  Massachusetts  Cavalry,  under  their 
heroic  young  colonel,  at  High  Bridge,  where  they 
had  been  extirpated  after  such  furious  fighting  with 


THE    TRAGEDY.  339 

two  divisions  of  Confederate  cavalry  that  the  retreat 
of  the  whole  rebel  army  had  been  stayed  for  a  con- 
siderable time,  and  we  were  thus  enabled  to  cut  them 
off  as  we  did. 

We  had  been  in  the  advance,  pushing  fiercely  on, 
and,  almost  completely  exhausted,  were  compelled  at 
midnight  to  halt  for  a  few  hours'  rest.  I  had  not  met 
Arthur  for  two  days,  and  was  very  glad  to  see  him 
coming  to  where  I  was  sitting  on  a  great  log  before 
my  fire,  after  having  personally  attended  to  the  pla- 
cing of  pickets.  We  were  close  on  to  the  enemy,  who 
lay  in  a  wood  beyond  some  open  ground  next  the 
hill  where  our  brigade  had  halted,  which  was  more  or 
less  wooded.  A  cedar  thicket  stood  near  the  spot 
where  I  was,  on  the  extreme  left,  with  a  path  running 
through  it  leading  toward  our  vedettes  on  that  side. 

"  Hallo,  Arthur,"  I  called,  "  glad  to  see  you  !  Come 
and  sit  down  and  get  warm.  To-morrow  will  be 
hot  enough  though,  won't  it,  according  to  all  in- 
dications? " 

"  Probably,  for  those  who  see  it,"  he  replied  gravely. 
"  I  am  glad  to  find  you,  Tom,"  he  added  in  a  tired 
voice.     "  I  have  something  to  say.  " 

Some  peculiar,  indescribable  thing  about  his  man- 
ner and  air  attracted  my  attention  closely.  Still 
I  did  not  wish  to  seem  to  watch  him,  although  I 
was  strangely  moved  by  this  something  which  was 
inexplicable. 

Sir  Walter  Scott  speaks,  in  certain  of  his  novels, 
of  an  expression    used   in    Scotland    in    regard    to    a 


340  CENTURIES  APART. 

person  who  is  near  his  death,  and  who  shows  this  in 
some  way  mysterious  to  all  but  those  who  can  read 
occult  signs.     Such  a  man  is  said  to  btfcy. 

I  thought  of  this  as  I  looked  at  Percy;  and  with 
the  idea  already  in  my  mind,  I  was  not  the  less 
apprehensive  after  what  he  told  me. 

"I  have  tried  to  see  you  all  day,  Tom,"  he  said; 
"  but  fate  has  ordered  otherwise.  I  do  not  know 
what  you  will  think  when  I  tell  you  that  I  have  seen 
Kate  Percy." 

"  Oh,  Arthur,  Arthur,"  I  cried,  "  what  can  this 
mean?  You  are  overtired,  and  have  allowed  your 
mind  to  dwell  —  " 

"  Don't,  Tom,  please,"  he  said  very  wearily;  "  I  am 
very  tired,  but  not  more  so  than  you  —  than  we  all 
are.  I  can  stay  with  you  but  a  few  moments.  The 
General  asked  me  to  ride  over  to  the  left  at  midnight 
and  see  that  all  was  right  there.  T  is  now  nine 
minutes  of  twelve.  I  will  tell  you.  Last  night  when 
we  halted  I  looked  for  you,  not  knowing  that  you  had 
gone  forward  to  secure  the  hill  in  front.  I  was  very 
tired,  but  also  so  singularly  affected  mentally  that  I 
could  not  think  of  sleep.  Still  I  lay  down,  but  soon 
rose,  and  was  walking  up  and  down  in  the  wood 
where  we  were,  when  I  both  felt  and  saw  a  little  hand 
passed  around  my  left  arm.  I  involuntarily  drew  the 
arm  closer  to  my  side,  and  another  hand  clasped  the 
first,  and  thus  they  were  folded  on  my  arm.  I  was 
not  even  startled,  Tom.  I  looked  down,  and,  Tom, 
my  darling  was  hanging  on  my  arm  as  she  did  all 


THE    PARTING.  —  Page  341. 


THE    TRAGEDY.  34 1 

that  afternoon  on  the  beach  below  the  crags  of 
Ravensclyffe.  The  same  sweet,  bright,  radiant  smile, 
the  same  gentle  voice,  the  exquisite  violet  eyes,  the 
— ■  Tom,  I  can't  describe  her  beauty.  It  all  seemed 
perfectly  natural.  And  oh,  how  happy  we  were  !  I 
think  we  walked  up  and  down  for  hours.  At  any 
rate  she  had  but  just  left  me,  and  I  had  lain  down 
again,  when  the  trumpets  blew.  I  was  not  fa- 
tigued by  the  night  spent  so,  but  the  fresher  this 
morning.  And  I  am  happy,  Tom,  —  more  happy 
than  I  can  tell.  I  know  that  she  is  no  more  in  this 
world ;  and  the  last  thing  she  said,  after  all  our 
dear  talk,  was,  '  I  will  come  again  to-morrow  night, 
my  darling,  and  then  you  will  go  with  me,  —  and  we 
shall  part  no  more.'  " 

I  watched  Arthur  all  the  time  he  was  speaking. 
The  strange  look  never  left  his  face.  It  seemed  full 
of  a  nameless  peace.  I  could  not  speak ;  for  although 
I  felt  that  he  had  but  seen  a  vision  in  his  sleep,  yet 
I  was  perfectly  sure  that  all  was  to  be  as  he  said. 
Still,  the  dreadful  certainty  was  so  oppressive  that  I 
lost  all  self-control.  The  grief  of  losing  him  seemed 
so  appalling  that  I  involuntarily  threw  both  arms 
round  him,  as  if  I  would  never  let  him  go.  All  sorts 
of  wild  thoughts  surged  through  my  brain,  as  I  tried 
to  think  how  he  could  be  protected  against  the 
dangers  of  the  coming  day. 

So  we  sat  for  a  while.  Then  Arthur,  turning, 
kissed  me  simply,  and  with  his  old  smile,  —  the 
sweetest  I  ever  saw  in  man,  —  said  :  — 


342  CENTURIES  APART. 

"  Good-night,  Tom.  It  is  time  for  me  to  go  now. 
Kiss  my  little  sister  for  me,  and  tell  her  that  I  was 
more  than  happy  that  she  is  yours.  You  will  go  back 
safely  to  her,  Tom.     I  know  it." 

He  mounted  his  horse  and  rode  slowly  down  the 
path  to  the  left,  into  the  cedars.  I  saw  him  by  the 
firelight  turn  and  smile  once  again,  and  then  he 
vanished  in  the  shadows  of  the  wood. 

I  sat  looking  into  the  fire,  wrapped  in  dismal  think- 
ing. A  few  moments  after  he  had  gone,  my  orderly 
came  to  me  with  letters.  The  mail-carrier  had 
come  up,  with  the  Second  Brigade,  which  had  just 
joined  us. 

The  first  I  saw  was  from  my  wife,  and  I  cut  it  open 
with  impatient  haste.  There  were  twelve  pages,  and 
I  was  devouring  it,  spell-bound. 

All  at  once  the  report  of  a  rifle  on  the  extreme  left 
of  the  line  seemed  to  shatter  the  air.  It  was  caught 
up,  and  echoed  and  re-echoed  strangely. 

I  could  not  account  for  the  sharpness  of  the 
sound.  Several  shots  had  been  fired  on  the  line 
earlier  in  the  night,  but  not  one  had  begun  to  be  so 
loud  as  this  was.  However,  I  was  soon  absorbed 
again    in  the  letters. 

Suddenly  I  felt  a  strange,  incomprehensible  chill, 
and  became  aware  that  some  one  was  sitting  beside 
me  on  the  left  hand.  I  glanced  up,  and  was  surprised 
to  see  that  it  was  Percy. 

And  now  for  this,  and  for  what  follows,  reader,  I 
can  no  more  account  than  can  you.  All  I  know  is 
that  it  was ! 


THE    TRAGEDY.  343 

"  Hallo,  Arthur,"  I  said.  "I'm  right  glad  to  see 
you  back.      I  have  a  letter  here  from  Catherine.  " 

I  continued  reading.  He  did  not  speak.  At  last, 
uneasy,  I  looked  at  his  face,  and  was  thunderstruck 
to  see  its  extreme  white,  waxy  look.  His  eyes  were 
fixed  in  a  stony  gaze  at  the  gloom  over  beyond 
the  fire. 

"Arthur,"  said  I,  very  anxiously,  "what  is  the 
trouble  with  you?"  He  replied  in  a  strange  voice, 
that  sounded  as  if  it  came  from  far  away,  and  very 
slowly. 

"  My  troubles  are  over,  my  brother.  Hark  !  There 
they  come.     They  are  bringing  It." 

I  heard  a  clanking  of  scabbards  and  a  measured 
tramp  down  the  forest  path.  "  I  must  meet  It,"  he 
said.     "  Good-night !  " 

"  Meet  what?  "  I  asked,  taking  his  right  hand.  It 
was  icy  cold,  and  stiff  as  that  of  the  dead.  He  rose, 
smiling,  and  pointed  to  the  wood,  turning  his  full 
face  to  me. 

I  shrank  back  gasping  with  deadly  horror,  and 
caught  at  a  limb  for  support.  The  whole  left  side  of 
his  face  was  drenched  in  blood,  which  poured  from  a 
hole  near  the  temple. 

He  turned  away  and  strode  noiselessly  toward  the 
path.  As  soon  as  I  could  gather  myself  I  sprang 
after  him,  calling,  "Arthur!  Arthur!"  Then  he 
disappeared  in  the  gloom  of  the  wood.  I  rushed 
after,  and  just  at  the  entrance  to  the  path  came  sud- 
denly on  four  troopers  of  my  old  squadron,  under  a 


344  CENTURIES  APART. 

grizzled  sergeant.  They  bore  something  on  an  im- 
provised stretcher  of  poles. 

"  Did  you  meet  Major  Percy  just  a  moment  since, 
Sergeant  Gaunt?  "  I  cried. 

"  Did  we  meet  him?  "  repeated  the  man,  in  an  awed 
voice.  "  He  is  here,  Colonel.  He  was  killed  on  the 
line  twenty  minutes  ago,  by  that  shot." 

He  lifted  the  overcoat  cape  from  the  face  of  the 
corpse. 

There  he  lay,  the  left  side  of  the  head  covered  with 
blood  from  a  hole  near  the  temple  ! 

The  morning  after  the  surrender  of  Appomattox, 
I  started  for  home  with  Arthur  Percy's  body.  On  the 
evening  succeeding  the  burial,  Catherine  and  I  were 
sitting  together  looking  at  the  afterglow  which  had 
followed  a  sunset  which  was  rare  even  in  that  region 
of  beautiful  sunsets,  where  the  crimson  and  gold 
clouds  spread  a  halo  of  glorious  light  over  the  blue 
hills  beyond  the  Charles. 

"  How  Arthur  would  have  enjoyed  this  !  "  she  said. 
"  What  an  eye  he  had  for  all  that  was  fine  in  nature 
and  in  art !  When  I  was  a  girl  he  taught  me  not  only 
to  love  these  things,  but  how  to  see  them." 

She  was  very  quiet  and  calm  now,  although  she 
had  grieved  so  dreadfully  at  first  that  I  had  feared  for 
her  life.  As  we  sat  there  I  told  her  Arthur's  story; 
and  we  took  out  his  diaries  and  papers,  which  we 
afterward  read  in  full.  I  delivered  to  my  wife  the 
things  which  Arthur  had  intrusted  to  me,  and  those 


THE    TRAGEDY.  345 

which  were  found  on  his  body.  It  had  been  discov- 
ered that  not  only  had  he  been  shot  in  the  head,  but 
there  was  also  a  bullet  in  his  heart.  This  had  gone 
through  the  corner  of  Kate  Percy's  miniature,  fortu- 
nately not  harming  it  materially.  He  had  also  on  his 
breast  with  the  miniature  her  letter  written  to  him 
while  at  Eagle's  Crag.     It  was  uninjured. 

It  was  probably  written  on  paper  given  her  by 
Percy  while  at  Ravensclyffe ;  it  was  not  on  the 
coarse,  dark,  thick  paper  used  by  the  South  English, 
a  piece  or  two  of  which  we  found  among  Arthur's 
documents.  The  handwriting  was  quaint,  some  of 
the  characters  being  of  a  very  ancient  style,  but  on 
the  whole,  plain,  and  fairly  easy  to  read.  It  ran 
thus :  — 

To  myne  honoured  Lord  and  Betrothedde  Husband, 
the  noble  captayne  Arthur  Piercie,  at  the  Castle  Keepe  of 
the  Eagle  hys  Cragge —  These  by  the  fayre  hande  and 
gentil  courtesye  of  the  noble  maide  Lady  Vivienne  Dacre. 
Greetynge  — 

O,  my  dere  sweeteheart,  happelye  blythe  be  I  so  may  I 
again  speke  to  the,  een  in  these  silente  words  of  wrytynge. 
Yet  beare  thei  the  lovynge  thought  in  my  heart  unto  the. 
Coulde  spokenne  words  more? 

I  am  to  sai  unto  the  that  the  lovelye  and  heartbroke 
Vivienne  Dacre  be  here.  And  strange  though  it  seeme  to 
the,  as  to  me,  she  cometh  in  soreste  dole  to  knowe  of  my 
lippes  an  I  be  in  goode  soothe  thyne  owne  betrowthedde 
maide  and  bryde.  And  knowing  now  this  to  be  indeede 
soothe,  weping  threwe  she  her  selfe  on  her  kneese,  prayinge 
myne  pardon  and  grace  for  that  she  lovedde  the  and  so 


346  CENTURIES  APART. 

hadde  avowedde  to  the.  And  roundlye  I  warrante  me 
hadde  I  answeredde  her,  but  that  I  beheldde  her  in  so 
dolourouse  case,  and  ere  I  mighte  speke,  tolde  she  me  she 
was  the  day  agone  at  the  Cloisteres  of  Sainte  Helenes,  and 
that  she  would e,  sans  noviciate,  take  the  veil,  Yuletide 
pastte,  and  spende  lyfe  in  penaunce  for  the  sin  that  she 
lovedde  the. 

And  wer  it  sin  to  love  the,  myne  Arthur?  Then  wer  I 
the  wickedeste  sinner  in  Southe  Englande. 

But  knewe  she  not  of  our  vowes  atwixte  us,  poore 
chylde.  Innocente  enow  wer  she,  and  hath  my  pitye. 
She  thought  the  free  of  mayden  her  vowes,  yet  fyndynge 
not  so,  her  heartstrynges  snappedde. 

And  she  be  marveyllouslye  hurte  by  her  griefes,  nor 
consyderynge  her  mynd,  be  there  lykelyhoode  that  she  eer 
spede  happelye  more.  Verelye  coulde  I  somewhat  wepe 
for  her,  for  she  wer  myne  own  dere  frende  and  hadde 
beene  utterlye  loyall  to  me  in  this  parte. 

Eche  nyght  walke  I  in  slumbe.  wyth  the  on  the  sandes 
beneathe  the  cragges  at  Ravensclyffe.  And  marveyllous 
joyouse  be  I  untill  hatefulle  dawne  sodayne  awakenethe  me 
to  my  heavye  longynges  for  the  once  more.  Ryght  gladde 
were  I  yf  I  mighte  slomber  untill  thy  returne,  myne  Arthur, 
wyttynge  of  noughte  else. 

Yet  somewhat  saith  to  me  that  we  be  not  for  long  sun- 
deredde.  Of  that  I  am  blythe.  I  pray  the  saintes  al  dayes 
to  guarde  the  wel. 

Vivienne  hath  made  me  to  knowe  of  thy  dauntlesse 
defence  of  the  Eagle  hys  Cragge.  I  muche  trembledde  at 
thy  peril,  and  yet  be  I  lovyngelye  proude  that  my  captayne 
so  gallantlye  bore  himselfe  and  as  gentil  knight  did  hys 
devoir.  But  prythe,  Arthur,  have  greate  care  of  thy  yonge 
lyfe,  whiche  is  certaynelye  al  myne  owne. 


